Gilde Norsk Kjøtt
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGilde Norsk Kjøtt was a Norwegian farmer-owned meat-processing cooperative and the country's largest red-meat processor before its 2006 merger into Nortura.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Gilde Norsk Kjøtt was a Norwegian agricultural cooperative involved in livestock slaughtering, red-meat processing, food manufacturing, and the marketing of meat products. It developed from the network of farmer-owned slaughterhouses that expanded across Norway during the twentieth century and became the dominant national processor of red meat. The organization was ultimately absorbed into Nortura in 2006 after merging with Prior Norge. The cooperative's background lay in the creation and consolidation of Norway's farmer-owned slaughter industry. Hamar Slagteri AS, founded in 1904, is identified as Norway's first farmer-owned slaughterhouse. Fellesslakteriet followed in Oslo in 1911 as an early slaughter cooperative. In the economic conditions surrounding the agricultural crisis of the 1930s, Norwegian producers faced severe price pressure and farm failures. The 1930 Trade Act sought to create greater stability for farmers and consumers, and Norges Kjøtt og Fleskesentral was established in 1931 as a membership organization for the country's slaughterhouses. In 1958, Norges Kjøtt og Fleskesentral was reorganized into 17 district organizations responsible for processing activities. The Gilde name first entered commercial use in Northern Norway in 1959 and was adopted nationally in 1964. At first, Gilde functioned as a common identity across a federation of regional slaughter organizations rather than as a single fully integrated legal company. The gradual consolidation of local slaughter cooperatives increased operational coordination and helped create a national meat business. The organization changed its formal name to Norsk Kjøttsamvirke BA in 1990. Although the regional structure had been progressively consolidated, the complete legal merger of the operating entities was not achieved until 2000, when the parent organization owned all of the processing plants. In 2004, the company adopted the name Gilde Norsk Kjøtt BA, combining the established consumer-facing brand with the meat-cooperative identity. Gilde's business covered fresh and processed red-meat products, including beef, pork, lamb, sausages, cured and smoked meats, frozen foods, and canned foods. It also operated or supported a range of specialist brands. In 1971, it reached an agreement with Norges Kooperative Landsforening to establish Goman as a shared meat brand for cooperative retail stores. During the 2000s it marketed organic products under a separate organic extension of the Gilde brand, distributed through Coop and NorgesGruppen stores. In 2001, it introduced Alfathi, a brand for Norwegian meat products prepared according to Muslim halal requirements. Other associated offerings included Eldhus smoked meats and Terina frozen and canned foods. Gilde also served as a significant supplier to Norwegian grocery retail and was closely connected to the country's cooperative food-distribution system. Its scale made it the leading red-meat processor in Norway, while its cooperative ownership linked processing decisions to livestock producers. The company's final major structural change came in 2006, when Gilde Norsk Kjøtt merged with Prior Norge, a poultry-focused Norwegian food cooperative. The merger created Nortura, which combined the two businesses under a new cooperative group. Gilde Norsk Kjøtt therefore ceased to exist as an independent company, although Gilde continued as a major consumer brand within Nortura's later portfolio.
History
Gilde Norsk Kjøtt emerged from Norway's farmer-owned slaughterhouse movement and the gradual consolidation of regional meat cooperatives. The industry's early institutional foundations included Hamar Slagteri AS, founded in 1904 as Norway's first farmer-owned slaughterhouse, and Fellesslakteriet, established in Oslo in 1911 as an early slaughter cooperative. These organizations reflected the effort by agricultural producers to gain greater control over slaughtering and marketing rather than relying entirely on private intermediaries. The agricultural crisis of the early twentieth century created strong pressure for collective organization. Overproduction contributed to falling prices, financial distress, and farm failures. Norway's 1930 Trade Act was intended to support more stable prices for producers and consumers. In 1931, Norges Kjøtt og Fleskesentral was established as a membership organization for slaughterhouses across Norway. This structure provided a national framework for cooperation in slaughtering and meat distribution. A major reorganization took place in 1958, when Norges Kjøtt og Fleskesentral created 17 district organizations to manage processing. The Gilde name was introduced in Northern Norway in 1959 and became a national brand in 1964. For many years, the Gilde organization was effectively a federation or association of regional slaughter businesses. The regional organizations increasingly shared branding, procurement, processing capabilities, and market activities, but they did not become one fully merged legal entity until 2000. The organization adopted the name Norsk Kjøttsamvirke BA in 1990. The completed legal consolidation in 2000 gave the parent organization ownership of all processing plants and marked an important transition from a loose regional structure to a more integrated national company. In 2004, the formal name changed again to Gilde Norsk Kjøtt BA, bringing the established consumer brand to the front of the corporate identity. Gilde's operations included slaughtering, processing, and marketing red meat. Its product range extended from fresh beef, pork, and lamb to sausages, cured products, smoked foods, frozen products, and canned goods. The business also developed or participated in several branded extensions. Goman was created in 1971 through an agreement with Norges Kooperative Landsforening to supply meat products to cooperative stores. Organic products were marketed during the 2000s under a distinct organic extension of the Gilde brand and distributed through Coop and NorgesGruppen. In 2001, Alfathi was introduced for halal meat products made for Muslim consumers. Eldhus and Terina were additional associated brands covering smoked meat and frozen or canned foods. By the beginning of the twenty-first century, Gilde Norsk Kjøtt was Norway's largest red-meat processor. Its cooperative structure connected the business to Norwegian livestock farmers, while its brands and distribution arrangements gave it a broad presence in grocery retail. The company ceased to operate independently in 2006, when it merged with Prior Norge. The resulting organization was named Nortura, a new farmer-owned food cooperative combining Gilde's red-meat activities with Prior's poultry business. Gilde Norsk Kjøtt consequently became a historical corporate predecessor and brand platform within Nortura rather than a continuing standalone company.
- 2006
Merger creates Nortura
[1]Gilde Norsk Kjøtt merges with Prior Norge, creating Nortura and ending Gilde Norsk Kjøtt's independent corporate existence.
- 2004
Company becomes Gilde Norsk Kjøtt BA
[1]The formal corporate name changes from Norsk Kjøttsamvirke BA to Gilde Norsk Kjøtt BA.
- 2001
Alfathi halal brand is launched
[1]Gilde introduces Alfathi for Norwegian meat products prepared according to halal requirements.
- 2000
Full legal consolidation is completed
[1]The regional processing organizations are fully merged, with the parent organization owning all processing plants.
- 1990
Company adopts the name Norsk Kjøttsamvirke BA
[1]The organization changes its formal corporate name while continuing to use Gilde as its principal consumer brand.
- 1971
Goman cooperative-store brand is created
[1]Gilde reaches an agreement with Norges Kooperative Landsforening to establish Goman as a common brand for meat sold through cooperative stores.
- 1964
Gilde becomes a national brand
[1]The Gilde name is adopted nationally across the Norwegian meat cooperative system.
- 1959
Gilde name is introduced in Northern Norway
[1]The Gilde brand begins use in Northern Norway.
- 1958
District processing structure is created
[1]The cooperative system is reorganized into 17 district organizations responsible for processing.
- 1931
Norges Kjøtt og Fleskesentral is formed
[1]A national membership organization for Norwegian slaughterhouses is established.
Products and positioning
A nationally oriented, farmer-owned Norwegian meat cooperative positioned around domestic livestock processing, broad grocery distribution, and trusted everyday meat products. Its consumer identity emphasized the Gilde name, while its organizational role connected Norwegian farmers with slaughtering, processing, and retail markets.
Meat brand · 1959
Gilde
The principal national consumer brand associated with Gilde Norsk Kjøtt. It covered everyday Norwegian red-meat products, including fresh beef, pork, lamb, sausages, cured meats, smoked products, and other processed foods. The brand was first used regionally in Northern Norway and became national in 1964.
Cooperative retail meat brand · 1971
Goman
A shared brand established through a 1971 agreement between Gilde and Norges Kooperative Landsforening. Goman was intended to supply meat products to cooperative stores and represented Gilde's connection with Norway's cooperative retail network.
Halal meat · 2001
Alfathi
A Gilde brand introduced for Norwegian meat products prepared in accordance with Muslim halal requirements. Its launch broadened the company's product offer to consumers seeking halal meat within the Norwegian market.
Smoked meat
Eldhus
An associated Gilde product brand for smoked meat products.
Frozen and canned foods
Terina
An associated Gilde brand used for frozen and canned food products.
Organic meat
Gilde organic range
An organic product extension marketed under the Gilde name during the 2000s. These products were distributed through Coop and NorgesGruppen stores.
Brand decisions
2006
Merger with Prior NorgeM&ABackground
Gilde Norsk Kjøtt was Norway's leading red-meat processor, while Prior Norge operated as a major poultry cooperative. The two organizations pursued a combination of their farmer-owned food operations.
Action taken
Gilde Norsk Kjøtt and Prior Norge merged to create Nortura.
Aftermath
Gilde Norsk Kjøtt ceased to exist as an independent company. Its activities and consumer brands became part of Nortura's cooperative business.
2001
Launch of Alfathi halal productsProduct launchBackground
Gilde expanded its portfolio to address demand for meat prepared according to Muslim halal requirements.
Action taken
The company launched Alfathi as a dedicated halal meat brand.
Aftermath
Alfathi became one of the specialist brands associated with Gilde Norsk Kjøtt.
Sources1 sources
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