Seafood exports are expected to play a big part in Norway’s goal of increasing exports, excluding oil and gas, by 50% by 2030.
So far this year, seafood worth NOK96.8 billion (€9.8 billion) has been exported, an increase of 16% over the same period in 2020.
October, in particular, was a record month with exports valued at NOK12.1 billion (€1.2 billion). “Even though the corona pandemic is not over, the export value of Norwegian seafood continues to increase,” said Renate Larsen, chief executive of the Norwegian Seafood Council. “This is the highest value measured in a single month. The previous record was from September.”
An increase in the number of export markets is driving growth, with salmon and herring proving the drivers.
Exports of trout, cod, clipfish, saltfish, mackerel, king crab and prawn have all decreased because of changing consumer demand but external markets remain robust.
“We expect a new record year,” said the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs Bjørnar Skjæran. “The government will facilitate further growth to create more secure full-time jobs in coastal communities, more processing, greater value creation and increased export revenues.”
