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Reindeer Meat as a Source of Income for Our Family

Reindeer herding is one of the oldest livelihoods in the Arctic region. The reindeer has always been utilized efficiently, and in ancient times, it provided its owners with everything they needed, from transportation to clothing and food. For our family, reindeer is the most important source of income in many ways. In addition to traditional meat production, we also earn significant extra income from reindeer-based tourism, and these two sources of income complement each other.

Reindeer Herding and Grazing in the Pyhä-Kallio Reindeer Herding Cooperative in Lapland

Our reindeer graze in the Pyhä-Kallio Reindeer Herding Cooperative area, which spans across the municipalities of Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi, Sodankylä, and Pelkosenniemi, covering an area of nearly 3,800 km². The northeastern part of the cooperative is intersected by the Pyhä-Luosto National Park, and within the cooperative area, there are diverse wetlands, rugged mountain landscapes, lush spruce forests, and good lichen-rich tundra. During snowy and otherwise challenging winter conditions, the reindeer are supplemented with additional feed in their natural winter grazing areas, mainly consisting of fresh silage and dry hay.

Poroaidalla

The Whole Family Involved in Reindeer Herding

There are around 150 reindeer owners in the Pyhä-Kallio herding cooperative, making reindeer an important source of income for many families. As is customary in reindeer herding families, the entire family takes part in the work, and it’s not uncommon for even infants to have their own reindeer earmark and a small herd of their own.
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Where to buy

Fresh and Safe Reindeer Meat – Cut and Packaged in Kemijärvi

The meat from our own reindeer herd is processed and cut at the Kemijärvi slaughterhouse, where the head of our farm has also worked for several years during the slaughter season as a slaughter supervisor. Our reindeer meat is pre-cut, vacuum-packed, and labeled with all markings required by law. Since the slaughter season for reindeer is limited to late autumn, the meat is hung, cut, packaged, and preserved by freezing immediately after slaughter. Due to its low fat content, reindeer meat keeps significantly longer in the freezer when vacuum-packed than, for example, beef or pork. When properly stored, reindeer meat products can remain usable long after the “best before” date indicated on the packaging.
poroerotus

Reindeer Meat Is an Ethical Choice

Reindeer meat has always had a strong reputation as a high-quality and pure ingredient. It is an ethical choice thanks to the animals free-range grazing and the clean natural environment in which they live. Unlike decades ago, reindeer meat is no longer seen as a delicacy only for the wealthy, something ordinary consumers could rarely afford.

It is also well known that cooking reindeer meat is not rocket science, although a couple of basic tips can help you achieve the best results. Most of the reindeer meat produced is calf meat, which is low in fat and has a mild game-like flavor. Calf meat is tender, cooks quickly, and is best enjoyed lightly seasoned—but of course, seasoning is always up to the cook’s personal taste.

Since we eat reindeer meat in some form every day of the year, our table sometimes features dishes like a gently spiced reindeer stew with chili, ginger, and garlic, served with Eastern-style rice for variety. The Pororeseptit (Reindeer Recipes) page maintained by the Reindeer Herders’ Association offers dozens of delicious recipes and ideas for your table, but we’re also happy to share our own best tips—whether you are
preparing an everyday meal or a festive dinner.

By purchasing reindeer meat from our farm, you’re not only choosing a high-quality, clean northern ingredient—you’re also supporting a resilient way of life that our family has practiced for centuries.

Where can you find our reindeer meat?

We sell fresh reindeer meat directly at our family-run reindeer farm in Alakitinen. You can also find some of our products at the Luosto shop.

As we don’t have fixed opening hours, please contact us in advance to arrange a visit. Since our little meat shop is located right at our home yard, we are usually able to welcome you even on short notice.

Buy Reindeer Meat

Our range includes traditional reindeer dishes and cuts such as sautéed reindeer, tenderloin and sirloin, roasts, shank slices, stew meat, dried reindeer, canned meat, reindeer salami, reindeer kebab, as well as a variety of cold- and hot-smoked products. From time to time, we also produce small test batches of new products – and if they prove popular, they will become part of our regular selection.

On our Reindeer Recipes page you’ll find information on how to use different cuts of meat, along with dozens of inspiring reindeer recipes.

Prices (FIN)
Reindeer Recipes