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Fewer company bankruptcies in Northern Norway
In the first quarter of 2026, 60 companies in Northern Norway went bankrupt, which is the second lowest number in 20 years. The bankruptcy rate was only lower in the pandemic year of 2021, with significant support measures for the business sector. This is reported by the Knowledge Bank at SpareBank 1 Nord-Norge.
The decline is 9 percent compared to the first quarter of last year and comes after a drop in the bankruptcy rate of 25 percent in 2025. Three sectors stand out with the largest decline in the number of bankruptcies: the construction industry, retail trade, as well as accommodation and catering.
Slightly more cod, but still low levels in traditional spawning areas
Every year, marine scientists map the distribution of the northeastern Arctic cod in the traditional spawning areas in Lofoten and Vesterålen, Northern Norway-
This year, the marine scientists observed slightly more Northeast Arctic cod (skrei) than last year, but at the same time report a modest result.
“Despite an increase compared to last year, the amount of skrei in the expedition area can only be described as very low,” says expedition leader Knut Korsbrekke in a press release.
The expedition in the area was carried out with the research vessel "Johan Hjort" in the period from March 25 to April 6.
The results from the expedition are one of several sources of knowledge about the Northeast Arctic cod. They are included in the researchers' population calculation and quota advice for the species.
Considering removing "Russian" signs in Norway
Several road signs with Russian text in Sør-Varanger and Kirkenes may be removed, reports the Barents Observer.
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration will clarify the future of the signs, which have Cyrillic text.
The Russian street signs have caused a great deal of debate in Sør-Varanger in recent years.
"I expect the Norwegian Public Roads Administration to take action, and that the signs will be taken down fairly quickly", says Kurt Mørk Eriksen to NRK, who has been involved in getting the signs in the border municipality removed for a long time.
The signs were put up at the Norwegian-Russian border when traffic and cooperation with Russia were high. After Russia went to war in Ukraine in 2014, trade and cooperation have declined sharply.
In 2023, Norway tightened its sanctions regulations against Russia, and since then, Russian-registered passenger cars have not been allowed to cross the border.
New satellite launch attempt from Andøya Spaceport
This Wednesday evening, the German company Isar Aerospace will make a new attempt to launch the Spectrum rocket from Andøya Spaceport in Northern Norway.
The rocket will carry satellites of various types. If all goes according to plan, this could be the first satellite launch from mainland Europe.
According to Isar, the launch window will open at 9 PM CET at the earliest. The launch can be followed live here.
If weather conditions are not favorable, new attempts will be made until April 19th. Isar's first test flight with the Spectrum from Andøya last year ended with the rocket falling into the sea shortly after the launch.
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Easier to Become Dairy Farmer in Northern Norway
The Norwegian government considers recruitment to agriculture to be important for both self-sufficiency and total preparedness in Norway. It will now be easier to become a milk producer in the Arctic regions of Troms and Finnmark.
"The recruitment quota is intended to make it easier for new milk producers to establish themselves. The aim of the scheme is to strengthen recruitment and new establishment in milk production in the two northernmost counties", says Minister of Agriculture and Food Nils Kristen Sandtrøen.
The Directorate of Agriculture can offer to purchase quotas to applicants who plan to establish themselves as milk producers. Quotas can be used after an approved application and payment. The scheme is aimed at those who have not owned or rented quota in the last three years. Applicants who are 35 years of age or younger will be given priority, but anyone who meets the conditions can apply. The recruitment quota has been established as a follow-up to the 2025 agricultural settlement.
Briefly about the scheme:
The state offers up to four million liters of basic quota.
Price: One NOK per liter.
Up to 700,000 liters can be applied for per applicant.
Increased cod fishery in the Norwegian north last week
The Norwegian coastal boats' seasonal cod (skrei) fishing reached a preliminary peak this year last week, reports Norges Råfisklag is a Norwegian sales organization.
During the week, about 6,600 tons were delivered at a value of NOK 438 million.
The Sales Association reports that fishing has also moved south along the coast, with increased deliveries in Troms, Vesterålen and Lofoten.
Several boats have also finished with this year's cod quota.
Arctic football team Bodø/Glimt to meet Sporting in Round of 16
Bodø/Glimt is to meet the portuguese team Sporting in the Champions League Round of 16.
The first game in the Round of 16 will be played at Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø on the 11th of March. The second match is to be played in Lisboa on March 17th.