Norway exported seafood worth NOK 13.9 billion in July, representing an increase of 8% or NOK 1.1 billion compared with the corresponding month of 2024. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), this lift was mainly achieved through high salmon volumes and an impressive value growth to China.
So far this year, Norway has exported seafood worth NOK 99 billion – the same value as in the whole of 2018.
“Despite the fact that world trade is experiencing demanding times and competition in the market is tough, seafood from Norway has a strong global position. This is also true in the middle of summer,” NSC’s CEO Christian Chramer said.
The largest markets for Norwegian seafood exports in July were Poland, China and the United States. Of these, China had the highest value growth, with an increase in export value of NOK 613 million or 88% compared with the same month last year.
In total, Norway exported seafood to China for NOK 1.3 billion in July.
“Salmon is the main driver of export value to China. A combination of record-high available volumes, lower prices and new emerging sales channels in the Chinese market contributed to the positive trend continuing in July. China is now the largest growth market for Norwegian salmon so far this year,” Chramer said.
Seafood exports to the US continued to grow in July compared with the same month last year. Last month, Norway exported NOK 1.1 billion worth of seafood to the market – an increase in value of 17% compared with July last year.
In terms of value, the US was Norway’s largest export market in the first five months of the year, but in June and July the value of Norwegian seafood exports to Poland and China was higher than to the US.
“In July, there was an increase in the value of salmon, trout, king crab and snow crab to the US, so the Americans continue to buy large quantities of Norwegian seafood. However, the growth in value to Poland and China has been even greater. The US is a prioritised market for us, and we continue to monitor developments related to the increased tariffs,” Chramer said.
With regards to species, Norway exported 136,054 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 10.2 billion in July, with the volume up 28% and the value increasing 8% compared with the same month last year. Poland, the US and the Netherlands were the largest markets for salmon in July.
“There is a seasonal variation in salmon exports, so a July volume of 136,000 tonnes is remarkably high. It almost equals the record volume we had in September and October last year. The reason for this is favourable biological conditions that have resulted in increased production compared with July 2024,” NSC Seafood Analyst Paul Aandahl said.
China had the highest value growth in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 339 million, or 80%, compared with the same month last year. The export volume to this market ended at 9,950 tonnes, which was 121% higher.
Poland, which is Norway’s largest export destination, had the second largest growth in July with an increase of NOK 291 million.
“Most of the salmon to Poland is processed for export. Strong growth in consumption of fresh salmon fillets in Europe is contributing to increased processing in Poland,” Aandahl said.
The most important export markets for fresh fillets from Poland are Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy.
“Value growth to the US slowed down in July. Overall, exports increased by only 3%, while volume increased by 16%. Although increased tariffs may have had a negative effect, the fall in prices must mainly be seen in light of the large volume growth from Norway and globally so far this year,” Aandahl said.
In the whitefish category, Norway exported 2,055 tonnes of fresh cod worth NOK 144 million in July, with the volume down 12% and the value climbing 6%. Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland were the product’s largest markets.
The country also shipped 2,575 tonnes of frozen cod worth NOK 194 million, up 17% and 33% respectively. The UK, China and Vietnam were its main markets.
