Norway’s seafood exports totalled NOK 18.3 billion in October 2025, down 1% year-on-year, despite a record performance from the country’s flagship product, salmon. The decline was driven largely by lower exports of mackerel and herring, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).
“The main reason for the decline in export value in October was a sharp fall in mackerel and herring volumes,” NSC CEO Christian Chramer said. “Most other major species saw an increase in value, including record highs for salmon.”
Norway exported 148,729 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 12.6 billion in October – a 7% rise in value and a 4% increase in volume year-on-year. This marked the highest-ever monthly export value for salmon, surpassing the previous record set in November 2024.
Poland, the US and France were the largest markets, while Asia’s share of Norwegian salmon exports continued to rise – now accounting for 20% of total exports over the past three months.
“Increased demand in China, along with US tariffs, has shifted more Norwegian salmon towards Asian markets,” NSC Seafood Analyst Paul T. Aandahl said. “We also saw notable value growth to Japan (+10%), Thailand (+46%), and Taiwan (+61%).”
China led the growth, importing 7,628 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 332 million, up 92% in value and 99% in volume from last year.
- The month’s other strong performers included:
- Trout exports reached 8,306 tonnes worth NOK 712 million, up 16% in value, with prices surpassing those of salmon for the first time in a year
- Fresh cod exports increased 73% in value to NOK 202 million, driven by higher landings and growth in processing markets such as Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland
- Frozen cod exports fell 10% in volume but rose 10% in value to NOK 277 million, with Vietnam emerging as the largest market due to favourable US tariffs
- Clipfish exports hit a record NOK 959 million, despite lower volumes, with Portugal up 42% in value
While whitefish and processed products performed well, pelagic species saw steep declines. Mackerel exports dropped 71% in volume and 47% in value to NOK 1.3 billion, while herring fell 38% in volume and 28% in value.
“We must go back to 2015 to find a lower October herring export volume,” said Jan Eirik Johnsen, NSC’s Head of pelagic fish. “However, with higher quotas and improving catches late in the month, we expect volumes to recover.”
In shellfish, king crab exports fell slightly to NOK 77 million, while snow crab rose sharply – up 942% in value to NOK 12 million. Prawn exports, however, declined 14% in value and 31% in volume, due to weaker Barents Sea landings.
Despite October’s dip, total Norwegian seafood exports for 2025 have reached NOK 149 billion, up NOK 6 billion from the same period last year. Growth has been driven primarily by salmon, snow crab, trout, cod, saithe and haddock.
“So far this year, seafood exports have increased by NOK 6 billion, with salmon contributing NOK 2.4 billion of that growth,” said Chramer. “While some species face short-term challenges, Norwegian seafood remains in strong global demand.”
