Press release -
Record for Norwegian seafood exports in July
Norway exported seafood worth NOK 13.9 billion in July. This is an increase of NOK 1.1 billion, or 8 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
"Seafood exports have had a historically strong July in terms of value. This is primarily due to high salmon volumes and impressive value growth to China," says Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Approaching NOK 100 billion in export value
So far this year, Norway has exported seafood worth NOK 99 billion. This is exactly 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," says Christian Chramer.
In addition to salmon and trout, there was also growth in July for king crab, prawns and snow crab.
Largest value growth to China
The largest markets for Norwegian seafood exports in July were Poland, China and the USA.
China had the highest value growth in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 613 million, or 88 per cent, compared with the same month last year. In total, Norway exported seafood to China for NOK 1.3 billion in July.
Record salmon volumes, lower prices and new sales channels
“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," explains Christian Chramer.
These were the largest exported species to China in July in terms of value:
1. Salmon: NOK 763.9 million (+ 80%)
2. Greenland halibut: NOK 149 million (+ 88%)
3. Redfish: NOK 117.6 million (+90%)
Poland and China have overtaken the USA
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 US. This is an increase in value of 17 per cent 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 USA, 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 USA is a prioritised market for us, and we continue to monitor developments related to the increased tariffs," says the CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
These were the five largest importers of Norwegian seafood in July in terms of value:
1. Poland: NOK 1.7 billion (+23%)
2. China: NOK 1.3 billion (+88%)
3. USA: NOK 1.1 billion (+17%)
4. The Netherlands: NOK 897 million (-7%)
5. Denmark: NOK 793 million (-21%)
Record volume growth for salmon
- Norway exported 136,054 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 10.2 billion in July
- The value increased by NOK 800 million, or 8 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- This is a growth in volume of 28 per cent
- Poland, the USA 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," says seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Highest market share in 15 years in China
China had the highest value growth in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 339 million, or 80 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
The export volume to China ended at 9,950 tonnes, which is 121 per cent higher than the same month last year.
“The Chinese salmon market is experiencing strong growth. In the first half of the year, the salmon category increased by 39 per cent, while growth in the second quarter was over 50 per cent. Through good preference and competitive prices, Norway has increased its market share to 71 per cent in June. This is the highest market share for Norwegian salmon in China in 15 years," says Sigmund Bjørgo, the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to China.
Increased consumption of fresh salmon fillets in Europe
Poland, which is our 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," says Aandahl.
The most important export markets for fresh fillets from Poland are Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy.
Value growth to the USA slowed down
“Value growth to the USA slowed down in July. Overall, exports increased by only 3 per cent, while volume increased by 16 per cent. 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," says Aandahl.
Good month for trout
- Norway exported 9,409 tonnes of trout worth NOK 697 million in July
- The value increased by NOK 72 million, or 11 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- This is a growth in volume of 20 per cent
- Lithuania, the USA and Ukraine were the largest markets for trout in July
Lithuania had the highest value growth in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 32 million, or 45 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
The export volume to Lithuania ended at 1,448 tonnes, which is 56 per cent higher than the same month last year.
Favourable production conditions
“Like salmon, trout has enjoyed favourable production conditions this year. This has led to strong volume growth. In terms of product weight, exports have increased by 30 per cent so far this year, while growth in value has been 18 per cent," says seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
In comparison, salmon has increased by 23 per cent in volume and 3 per cent in value over the same period.
Value increase for fresh cod
- Norway exported 2,055 tonnes of fresh cod with a value of NOK 144 million in July
- The value increased by NOK 8 million, or 6 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- The volume fell by 12 per cent
- Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland were the largest markets for fresh cod in July
Landings of fresh wild cod continued to fall in July, resulting in lower export volumes.
For fresh wild cod, export volumes fell by 7 per cent to 1,314 tonnes, while export value increased by 19 per cent to NOK 93 million.
Fall in volume for fresh farmed cod
For fresh farmed cod, the export volume fell 20 per cent to 741 tonnes, while the export value fell 11 per cent to NOK 51 million. Farmed cod accounted for 36 per cent of the export value of fresh cod.
“As usual, the largest markets for fresh cod are the transit markets. From Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland, most of the cod is re-exported to our largest fresh markets such as Spain, France and Germany," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Growth for frozen cod
- Norway exported 2,575 tonnes of frozen cod worth NOK 194 million in July
- The value increased by NOK 48 million, or 33 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- This is a growth in volume of 17 per cent
- The UK, China and Vietnam were the largest markets for frozen cod in July
July is the first month this year with an increase in the export volume of frozen cod.
“Since landings of frozen cod continued to fall in July, stock adjustments are probably the main reason for the growth," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
UK is largest single market
"The UK continues to be our largest single market for frozen cod, with an export volume of 661 tonnes and an export value of NOK 41 million.
This is a decrease in volume of 19 per cent from July last year. Growth to Vietnam also continued in July, with export volumes tripling to 409 tonnes.
Heavy month for clipfish
- Norway exported 3,249 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 257 million in July
- The value fell by NOK 124 million, or 33 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- Volume fell by 40 per cent
- Brazil, Portugal and the Dominican Republic were the largest markets for clipfish in July
For saithe clipfish, export volumes fell by 36 per cent to 2,135 tonnes, while export value fell by 4 per cent to NOK 128 million.
For clipfish from cod, the export volume fell 69 per cent to 527 tonnes, while the export value fell 59 per cent to NOK 91 million.
"We have to go all the way back to March 1989 to find a lower export volume for cod clipfish in a single month," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Demanding for the industry
So far this year, 9,550 tonnes of cod clipfish have been exported. This is also the lowest export volume since 1989.
"This illustrates the challenges facing the industry, with ever-lower cod quotas and high raw material prices," says Brækkan.
Largest increase in value to Brazil
Brazil saw the greatest growth in value in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 23 million, or 68 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
The export volume to Brazil ended at 872 tonnes, which is 79 per cent higher than the same month last year.
“The volume growth is due to increased exports of saithe clipfish. With an increase in volume of 86 per cent, as much as 73 per cent of the export volume to Brazil was saithe clipfish in July," explains Eivind Hestvik Brækkan.
Exports of cod clipfish almost halved to just 56 tonnes, and accounted for only 6 per cent of the volume to Brazil.
First month of the year with volume growth for salted fish
- Norway exported 1,519 tonnes of salted fish with a value of NOK 164 million in July
- The value increased by NOK 91 million, or 124 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- This is a growth in volume of 70 per cent
- Portugal, France and Italy were the largest markets for salted fish in July
July is the first month this year with an increase in the export volume of salted fish.
Low quotas and demanding access to raw materials
“However, this is a month of low volumes, and so far this year the export volume of salted fish has fallen by 10 per cent. With continued low quotas and demanding access to raw materials, there is hardly reason to expect large volumes of salted fish during the autumn," says Eivind Hestvik Brækkan, Seafood Analyst of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Portugal saw the greatest growth in value in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 87 million, or 141 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
The export volume to Portugal ended at 1,095 tonnes, which is 61 per cent higher than in the same month last year.
Decrease in volume and value for stockfish
- Norway exported 98 tonnes of stockfish worth NOK 20 million in July
- The value fell by NOK 6 million, or 24 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- Volume fell by 50 per cent
- Italy, Nigeria and the USA were the largest markets for stockfish in July
Italy had the highest value growth in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 2 million, or 27 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
The export volume to Italy ended at 28 tonnes, which is 9 per cent lower than in the same month last year.
Weak month for herring
- Norway exported 9,521 tonnes of herring worth NOK 184 million in July
- The value fell by NOK 27 million, or 13 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- Volume fell by 11 per cent
- Poland, the Netherlands and Germany were the largest markets for herring in July
May, June and July are important months for catching North Sea herring. Fishing in June was particularly good this year, while July was somewhat weaker than last year.
“This is also reflected in July exports, which are somewhat weaker compared with last year. Overall, however, there was an increase in herring exports in these three months compared with last year, up from 29,000 tonnes to 32,400 tonnes, equivalent to 12 per cent," says Jan Eirik Johnsen, head of pelagic species at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Increased export of matjes herring
Summer is also the time for exports of matjes herring.
“This is a very special herring product that is mainly in demand in the Netherlands. The exports in May, June and July have increased by 10 per cent, from 6,000 to 6,600 tonnes, and it is reported that this year's herring season has been good," says Johnsen.
Lacklustre for mackerel exports
- Norway exported 5,956 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 185 million in July
- The value fell by NOK 33 million, or 15 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- The volume fell by 34 per cent
- Nigeria, Egypt and the Netherlands were the largest markets for mackerel in July
The main season for mackerel fishing does not start until August, but for the past four years there has been a mackerel fishery around Lofoten where around 12,000-14,000 tonnes have been landed in June and July.
Increased by-catch
“Fishing has been weaker this year, and the Herring Council's landing statistics show that the total mackerel landings in June and July this year amounted to 8,000 tonnes. At the same time, a lot more mackerel has been caught as by-catch in the North Sea herring fishery this year," says Jan Eirik Johnsen, head of pelagic species at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
"These are mackerel of a smaller size and with a lower fat content than autumn mackerel. This mackerel is in demand in African markets that mainly smoke mackerel.
Growth for king crab
- Norway exported 188 tonnes of king crab with a value of NOK 118 million in July
- The value increased by NOK 37 million, or 46 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- This is a growth in volume of 11 per cent
- The USA, Canada and Hong Kong SAR were the largest markets for king crab in July
The USA saw the greatest growth in value in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 57 million, or 238 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
The export volume to the US ended at 116 tonnes, which is 161 per cent higher than the same month last year.
91 tonnes of live king crab were exported with a value of NOK 43.9 million in July. This is a decline in volume of 42 per cent and a decline in value of 38 per cent.
97 tonnes of frozen king crab were exported with a value of NOK 74.3 million in July.
Strong July for snow crab
- Norway exported 630 tonnes of snow crab with a value of NOK 112 million in July.
- The value increased by NOK 110 million compared with the same month last year
- The USA, Japan and the Netherlands were the largest markets for snow crab in July
The USA had the highest growth in value in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 60 million compared with the same month last year. The export volume to the USA ended at 321 tonnes.
Last year, almost all snow crab was landed in the first quarter, and the export volume in July was very low. With this year's new quota regulations, significant volumes have also been landed in the second quarter, which has contributed to higher export volumes in recent months, including now in July.
Increase in value and decrease in volume for prawn
- Norway exported 3,482 tonnes of prawn worth NOK 183 million in July
- The value increased by NOK 35 million, or 24 per cent, compared with the same month last year
- Volume fell by 12 per cent
China had the highest value growth in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 78 million, or 3198 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
The export volume to China ended at 1,478 tonnes, which is 3,221 per cent higher than in the same month last year .
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The Norwegian Seafood Council works with the Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture industries to develop markets for Norwegian seafood through local market intelligence, market development and reputational risk management. The Seafood Council is headquartered in Tromsø and maintains local representatives in twelve of Norway's most important international markets. The Norwegian seafood industry finances the activities of the Norwegian Seafood Council via a tariff on all Norwegian seafood exports.
The Norwegian Seafood Council is a public company owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
