Value growth for Norwegian seafood exports in April despite trade unrest and falling salmon prices

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 14.3 billion in April. This is an increase of NOK 293 million, or 2 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

“Despite the turmoil in world trade, the favourable trend for Norwegian seafood exports continued. Norway has never before exported seafood for a higher value in the month of April. The growth is due to increased export volumes and rising demand for Norwegian salmon in important markets such as the USA and China," says Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

So far this year, Norway has exported seafood worth NOK 58.5 billion. This is an increase in value of NOK 4 billion, or 7.3 per cent, compared with the same period last year.

Shift in the flow of goods for salmon

Norway exported salmon worth NOK 10 billion in April. In total, this species accounted for 71 per cent of the export value last month.

“We are now seeing a shift in the flow of salmon from Europe to overseas markets such as Asia and the USA. Higher temperatures in the sea and fewer biological challenges meant that there was more superior quality salmon available in April than in the same month last year. This volume growth largely compensated for the falling salmon prices," explains Chramer.

Largest value growth to the US

For the fourth consecutive month, the US had the highest value growth. In total, Norway exported seafood worth NOK 1.4 billion to the US in April. This is an increase of NOK 263 million, or 23 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

“April was characterised by a lot of noise and uncertainty related to the introduction of increased tariffs to the USA. It is too early to conclude what effect this will have on Norwegian seafood exports, but the Norwegian Seafood Council is following this issue closely, and it is expected that the market situation will receive a lot of attention during the world's largest seafood trade fair, which starts in Barcelona on 6 May," says Christian Chramer.

These are the Americans' favourite species

These were the top five species in terms of value exported to the US in April:

1. Salmon: 1 billion kroner
2. Snow crab: NOK 139.8 million
3. Trout: NOK 92.8 million
4. Mackerel: NOK 35.6 million
5. King crab: NOK 23.6 million

Large export increase to China

Seafood exports to China are also growing. In April, Norway exported seafood worth NOK 913.8 million to this market. This is an increase of 14 per cent compared with the same month last year.

“This is due to strong underlying growth in the Chinese salmon market and the fact that Norwegian salmon is both readily available and sold at competitive prices," explains Chramer.

Skrei season characterised by quota reduction

The skrei season officially ended in April. It was largely characterised by the 25 per cent quota reduction for cod that was introduced on 1 January.

“The declining volume trend has resulted in tougher competition for raw materials and higher prices for skrei in export markets. Many consumers in Europe have gone to great lengths to secure the unique premium product that is Norwegian skrei," says Christian Chramer.

Facts about seafood exports in April

• Seafood was exported to a total of 113 countries in April. This is four more than in April last year.
• In total, Norway exported 273,000 tonnes of seafood in April. This is an increase of 30,000 tonnes compared with the same month last year.
• The largest markets for Norwegian seafood exports in April were the US, Poland and Denmark.
• The export volume to the US ended at 11,670 tonnes, which is 32 per cent higher than the same month last year.
• For the 10th consecutive month, trout has increased in value compared with the corresponding month the previous year.

Volume growth and price decline for salmon

• Norway exported 106,339 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 10 billion in April
• The value increased by NOK 297 million, or 3 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
• This is a growth in volume of 34 per cent
• Poland, the US and China were the largest markets for salmon in April

In April, the average price for a kilo of fresh whole salmon was NOK 84.60, which is 29 per cent lower than in the same month last year.

"The growth in volume is linked to significantly higher sea temperatures compared with the same period a year ago," says seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Increased supply affected the price

Volume growth in Norway and other producer nations in Europe has led to growth in the supply of salmon so far in 2025.

“This has resulted in a price drop of 16 per cent to NOK 92.93 per kg so far this year," says Aandahl.

China had the highest value growth in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 338 million, or 88 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

Highest volume ever to China

Exports to China totalled 8,224 tonnes, which is 188 per cent higher than the same month last year.

This is the highest volume recorded to China in a single month. So far this year, Norway has exported 26,000 tonnes of salmon to China, an increase of 106 per cent.

"In the first quarter, total Chinese imports of fresh whole salmon grew by 33 per cent, and we expect this growth to continue in April. This means that we have the effect of the market getting bigger at the same time as Norwegian salmon is gaining market share," says Sigmund Bjørgo, the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to China.

USA accounts for 11 per cent of Norwegian salmon exports this year

The USA had the second highest growth in value for salmon in April, with an increase of NOK 216 million or 26 per cent. So far this year, the US is the largest salmon market in terms of value, with NOK 4.4 billion.

The USA accounts for 11 per cent of total Norwegian salmon exports so far this year.

"The strong growth in salmon exports to the US that we saw throughout the first quarter continued in April," explains Aandahl.

Lots of available salmon

So far this year, salmon exports to the US have grown by 54 per cent in volume and 42 per cent in value compared with the same period in 2024.

"There's a lot of salmon of the right size and superior quality available in the market, so prices are falling slightly. So far this year, Norway has exported 29,000 tonnes of salmon to the US, with a value of NOK 4.4 billion," says Anne-Kristine Øen, the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to the US.

Strong month for trout

• Norway exported 6,340 tonnes of trout worth NOK 555 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 75 million, or 16 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This is a growth in volume of 53 per cent
• Ukraine, USA and Thailand were the largest markets for trout in April
  

Poland had the highest value growth in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 38 million, or 337 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

The export volume to Poland ended at 607 tonnes, which is 340 per cent higher than the same month last year.

"For the 10th consecutive month, the value of trout has increased compared with the same month last year," says Paul T. Aandahl, seafood analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Volume drop for fresh cod

• Norway exported 4,228 tonnes of fresh cod worth NOK 333 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 23 million, or 7 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
• Volume fell by 14 per cent
• Denmark, the Netherlands and Latvia were the largest markets for fresh cod in April
• The trend of lower volumes of fresh wild cod also continued in April, in line with lower landings.

For fresh wild cod, the export volume fell by 24 per cent to 2,847 tonnes, while the export value remained unchanged at NOK 242 million.

"As usual, most of the volume goes to the Danish transit market, where most of it is re-exported to our largest fresh markets in Europe," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

For fresh farmed cod, the export volume increased by 17 per cent to 1,381 tonnes, while the export value increased by 32 per cent to NOK 91 million. Farmed cod accounted for 27 per cent of the export value of fresh cod in April.

A challenging April for skrei

• Norway exported 386 tonnes of skrei worth NOK 33 million in April
• The value fell by NOK 6 million, or 15 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• Volume fell by 35 per cent
• Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands were the largest markets for skrei in April

This is how the skrei season was in 2025

• Norway exported 2,613 tonnes of skrei worth NOK 241 million this year
• The value fell by NOK 76 million, or 24 per cent, compared with last year
• Volume fell by 44 per cent
• Denmark, Spain and Sweden were the largest markets for skrei in 2025

“Quality labelled skrei must be landed between January and April, and the figures for 2025 show the lowest export volume ever since quality labelled skrei was introduced in Norwegian export statistics," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The export volume of 2,613 tonnes is 38 per cent lower than in 2023, which was the year with the lowest volume before this year.

"Lower quotas and landings, as well as periods of poor weather, are important reasons for the large decline in the export volume of skrei in this year's season," summarises Brækkan.

Decline for frozen cod

• Norway exported 3,590 tonnes of frozen cod worth NOK 283 million in April
• The value fell by NOK 164 million, or 37 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
• Volume fell by 49 per cent
• The UK, Vietnam and Portugal were the largest markets for frozen cod in April

Portugal had the highest value growth in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 40 million, or 320 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

The export volume to Portugal ended at 613 tonnes, which is 260 per cent higher than the same month last year

"The frozen cod to Portugal will mainly go to the production of salted fish and clipfish by the Portuguese industry," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Large fall in export volumes to China

The export volume of frozen whole cod to China fell by as much as 81 per cent in April, to just 372 tonnes.

“Since the US import ban on Russian cod was announced in December 2023, much of the Norwegian cod exported to China has been processed and re-exported to the US market. Although large fluctuations in exports to China are not unusual in individual months, the recently introduced US tariffs against China have probably contributed to a sharp reduction in Chinese demand for frozen whole cod from Norway," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Value growth for clipfish

• Norway exported 5,140 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 398 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 74 million, or 23 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
• Volume fell by 3 per cent
• Portugal, Congo-Brazzaville and the Dominican Republic were the largest markets for clipfish in April

For saithe clipfish, the export volume fell by 22 per cent to 2,894 tonnes, while the export value increased by 7 per cent to NOK 161 million.

For cod clipfish, the export volume increased by 8 per cent to 1,357 tonnes, while the export value increased by 21 per cent to NOK 189 million.

Strong development in Portugal

Portugal, which is our most important market for cod clipfish, saw the greatest growth in value in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 47 million, or 39 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

The export volume to Portugal ended at 1,249 tonnes, which is 21 per cent higher than the same month last year.

“So far this year, the volume of cod clipfish exported to Portugal has fallen by only 6 per cent. This is a strong development in light of the large reduction in cod quotas. It emphasises how strong the demand for clipfish is in the Portuguese market," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Record high export value for salted fish

• Norway exported 3,435 tonnes of salted fish worth NOK 435 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 59 million, or 16 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
• Volume fell by 10 per cent
• Portugal, Italy and Spain were the largest markets for salted fish in April

This is a record high export value for salted fish in a single month, NOK 59 million higher than the previous record month, which was in April 2024.

Largest value growth to Portugal

Portugal had the highest value growth in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 58 million, or 17 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

The export volume to Portugal ended at 3,071 tonnes, which is 6 per cent lower than the same month last year

"As with clipfish, we see that the Portuguese are continuing to buy a lot of Norwegian salted cod, even with this year's large quota reduction. The export volume of salted whole cod to Portugal is only down 12 per cent this year, while Norwegian landings of cod have fallen by around 25 per cent so far this year," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council

Stockfish exports fall

• Norway exported 243 tonnes of stockfish worth NOK 44 million in April
• The value fell by NOK 36 million, or 45 per cent, compared to the same month last year
• Volume fell by 26 per cent
• Italy, Nigeria and Canada were the largest markets for stockfish in April

After strong volume growth in March, the export volume of stockfish fell sharply in April.

For cod stockfish, the export volume so far this year is 10 per cent lower than last year, with a total volume of 1,011 tonnes.

While the export volume of cod stockfish fell by as much as 48 per cent in April, to just 133 tonnes, the export volume of tusk stockfish more than doubled, to a total of 87 tonnes.

"Most of the stockfish from tusk was exported to Nigeria in April, at a much lower price than stockfish from cod," says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Low season for herring

• Norway exported 9,240 tonnes of herring worth NOK 191 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 10 million, or 5 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• Volume fell by 4 per cent
• Poland, Egypt and Belarus were the largest markets for herring in April

Poland saw the greatest growth in value in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 15 million, or 44 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

The export volume to Poland ended at 2,094 tonnes, which is 29 per cent higher than the same month last year.

“April is the low season for herring exports, but the year so far has been characterised by low volumes and increased prices. This trend also continued in April. After the customs agreement with the EU came into place on 1 January, exports of marinated herring products picked up," says seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

In April, just over 838 tonnes of marinated herring products were exported with a value of NOK 23 million.

Good April for mackerel

• Norway exported 9,111 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 289 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 79 million, or 38 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This is a growth in volume of 11 per cent
• Vietnam and the US were the largest markets for mackerel in April

"An expected tight supply situation and solid demand for mackerel have resulted in price and value growth compared with April last year," says seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The USA saw the greatest growth in value in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 14 million, or 64 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

Exports to the US totalled 1,163 tonnes, which is 41 per cent higher than the same month last year

So far this year, NOK 2 billion worth of mackerel has been exported. This is an increase of 51 per cent compared with the same period last year. South Korea is the largest growth market so far with an increase of NOK 170 million, or 80 per cent.

Strong growth for king crab

• Norway exported 97 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 41 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 22 million, or 110 per cent, compared to the same month last year
• This is a growth in volume of 152 per cent
• The US, Hong Kong SAR and Canada were the largest markets for king crab in April

Compared with April last year, when fishing for king crab in the quota area was also halted, more king crab has been landed in the free area this year.

“This has led to an increase in exports of both frozen and live king crab in April. The average size of king crab from the free area is smaller than in the quota area, which translates into a lower average export price," says Josefine Voraa, Head of Shellfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The USA was the largest growth market

The USA was the largest growth market and single market for king crab in April, despite increased tariffs and general uncertainty in the market at the start of the month.

The USA accounted for more than half of the export volume and value in April. A total of 54 tonnes of king crab were exported from Norway to the USA, with a value of NOK 23.6 million. This is an increase in value of NOK 18.8 million compared with the same month last year.

Increased export of live king crab to Asia

“More live red king crab has also travelled to Asia. Smaller sizes of the Norwegian red king crab available from the free zone make it more competitive on price against the Russian blue king crab, which now dominates the Asian markets at lower import prices than at the same time last year," explains Voraa.

So far this year, 642 tonnes of king crab have been exported, with a value of NOK 438 million. This is an increase of 53 per cent in volume and 86 per cent in value.

The US has been the largest market so far this year, accounting for 72 per cent of volume and 77 per cent of value.

Large value growth for snow crab

• Norway exported 1,051 tonnes of snow crab worth NOK 218 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 69 million, or 46 per cent, compared with the same month last year.
• Volume fell by 18 per cent
• USA, Denmark and Canada were the largest markets for snow crab in April

“The beginning of April was characterised by a lot of uncertainty related to the increase to the US and the start of the snow crab season in Canada, which is the largest supplier globally and to the US market, says Josefine Voraa, head of shellfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Despite this, exports of snow crab reached a record high in April in terms of value. Measured in volume, the trend was stronger in April last year, but export prices so far this year have been higher and totalled NOK 208 per kg in April, which is NOK 91 per kg more than in April last year.

35 tonnes of snow crab to Canada

The USA saw the greatest growth in value in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 57 million, or 69 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

The export volume to the USA ended at 659 tonnes, which is 2 per cent higher than the same month last year.

Although Canada has a large own catch of snow crab, 35 tonnes of snow crab worth NOK 33 million went there in April.

A good month for prawn

• Norway exported 2,982 tonnes of prawn worth NOK 166 million in April
• The value increased by NOK 65 million, or 64 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This is a growth in volume of 53 per cent

Another month of growth in the export value of prawn driven by strong volume growth because of increased landings of prawn in 2024 and so far in 2025.

The biggest growth was in exports of frozen, cooked shell prawn. There was an increase from 543 tonnes last year to 1,536 tonnes this year.

“This is because a larger proportion of what is caught in the Barents Sea is cooked on board, while at the same time the Norwegian share to China for consumption and Morocco for further processing is increasing," says Josefine Voraa, head of shellfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Processed prawns are the largest product

Processed prawns are the largest product in terms of value. It accounts for 50 per cent of export value and 30 per cent of volume.

Processed prawns also had a strong volume development in April, with a volume increase of 300 tonnes compared to the same month last year.

The export value in April was NOK 83 million, an increase of 55 per cent compared with the same month last year.