Bel’Mer: Belgian mussels from our own sea farm
Since the summer of 2023, Colruyt Group has been exclusively selling Belgian rope-grown mussels, sourced from our own sea farm off the coast of Nieuwpoort. This year, we are significantly expanding the number of points of sale. A unique product deserves a unique name: meet Bel’Mer, the mussels that combine the force of the North Sea with the finesse of Belgian tradition.
Taste our Belgian Bel’Mer mussels
The Belgian rope-grown mussels from Nieuwpoort have sand-free shells with high meat yield and a rich, refined briny flavour. Somewhere between bouchot mussels and Zeeland mussels. Perfect for an unmistakably Belgian tradition that invites you to slow down and enjoy. The Bel’Mer mussels are available from 1 July at Colruyt, Okay, Spar, Collect&Go and Foodbag.
The Bel’Mer sea farm: the purest quality from the rugged North Sea
Sometimes, solutions are right in front of your nose. The Belgian North Sea holds enormous potential and richness. Mussel seed occurs naturally there, while the strong sea currents provide the nutrients needed to grow into the delicacy we all love.
Still, choosing to farm mussels was far from obvious. Conditions in the North Sea are extremely rough, with unpredictable currents and tides. Yet we braved the sea to build our own Bel’Mer sea farm. After extensive research, trial and error, and a great deal of perseverance, we harvested our first flavourful mussels in 2023. A pure product that grows entirely naturally into a balanced and sustainable source of protein.
Today, we use 1 km² or a quarter of the total project area, which accounts for 38 kilometres of mussel ropes. We operate with two dedicated vessels and employ eight full-time staff members for the sea farm, supported by temporary and seasonal workers.
Operating at sea involves risks. But for our group, it makes perfect sense: sustainable, innovative, local … it truly reflects what Colruyt Group stands for.
How do we demonstrate our craftsmanship at sea?
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Working at sea is anything but straightforward due to the weather conditions. Yet we continue to scale up step by step, increasing the harvest every year. In just three years, we grew from 6 to 90 tonnes. In the near future, we aim to equip the remaining 3 km² of the sea farm with farming installations to further increase the harvest year after year.
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Our mussels are part of the solution in the search for nutritious and sustainable protein sources. The rope-culture technology makes use of the natural richness of the North Sea. Mussel seed naturally attaches itself to the ropes and feeds on nutrients present in the seawater. Without adding anything ourselves, the mussels grow two to three times faster than bottom-cultured mussels. They absorb CO2 and have a relatively low carbon footprint (approximately 0.6 kg) per kilogram of mussel meat. Harvesting does not damage the seabed. In addition, the Bel’Mer sea farm can serve as a shelter and nursery for fish and other marine life, thereby promoting biodiversity in the Belgian North Sea.
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There is no more iconic dish in Belgian cuisine than “moules-frites”. Belgians are the world’s biggest consumers of mussels, yet until recently they never produced them themselves. By farming mussels off the Belgian coast, we can offer a local alternative to Zeeland mussels and bouchot mussels (from the Hauts-de-France and Normandy regions). In doing so, we also bring the know-how and craftsmanship of mussel farming within our own borders. This allows us to wrap a Belgian culinary classic entirely in the national tricolour.
What does local craftsmanship with heart mean?
At Colruyt Group, we believe in pure craftsmanship, and these mussels are a perfect example of that belief. Building and maintaining a commercial sea farm, scaling it up step by step, harvesting the mussels … every stage requires knowledge, experience and dedication. Every day, we continue to deepen our expertise. It is an exciting journey that makes our hearts beat faster. That is why we call it: local craftsmanship with heart.