arctic appetites
Arctic Appetites is a Barcelona-based import company bringing Norwegian cider to the Spanish market. Founded by Jon Magnus Solgaard, a Norwegian entrepreneur with a deep passion for Scandinavian drink culture, the company works with a curated selection of Norwegian cider producers — small, craft-focused makers whose products are exceptional and whose stories have barely been told outside Norway.
Cider in Norway is not an afterthought. It's a centuries-old tradition rooted in the country's apple-growing regions, made by people who take the craft seriously. Arctic Appetites exists to give that tradition a home in one of Europe's most vibrant drink markets — and to build the kind of cultural credibility that makes a completely unknown category worth paying attention to.
THE CHALLENGE
Most market entry problems are about standing out in a crowded space. Arctic Appetites had a different problem entirely — there was no space yet. Norwegian cider is virtually unknown in Spain. Before a single venue would consider stocking it, someone had to answer a more fundamental question: why should anyone in Barcelona care about cider from Norway?
our approach
We led with story over product. A branded launch film introduced the world of Norwegian cider — its landscape, its craft, its culture — before making any commercial ask. A targeted content series followed, and an industry night at Bar Noe brought the right buyers, bartenders, and press into the same room to taste it in a setting that made the story land. The event wasn't just a tasting — it was a proof of concept. Phase two extended into ongoing content production and further events, building consistent visibility in the market over time.
the result
Arctic Appetites is now stocked in 3 Barcelona venues. The work contributed directly to securing additional funding from Innovation Norway — external validation that the market entry strategy was working. The partnership is ongoing, and the foundation being built here is designed to compound. A category being introduced one story at a time.
