Erling Haaland's carrot habit spurs sales boom in Norway

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland's popularity has led to an unexpected surge in carrot sales in his native Norway. Producers have dubbed the trend the "Haaland effect," attributing the increased demand to the footballer's well-known habit of eating carrots as a healthy snack. The Norwegian Directorate of Agriculture noted the phenomenon in a market report, highlighting an excellent season for fresh bunched carrots.

A campaign featuring Haaland and cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo reportedly strengthened the trend, with Norwegian food distributor Bama reporting a 25% rise in carrot sales during the campaign. The advertisement was also recognized as one of Norway's most effective television campaigns of the summer. Videos of Haaland eating carrots have circulated online since 2022, and his association with the vegetable gained further visibility during Norway's successful World Cup run, where he scored seven goals. This has reportedly encouraged children and teenagers to mimic his habit, with some media outlets claiming youngsters now refer to carrots as "Haaland candy."

Haaland has long emphasized nutrition and recovery, viewing carrots as a simple alternative to sugary snacks. Norwegian growers have welcomed the boost to demand, seeing Haaland as an influence not only on football participation but also on healthier eating habits among youth.