Press release -
NORWAY–UK SEAFOOD SUMMIT 2025 Shaping the Future of Seafood: Navigating Trends, Tackling Challenges and Seizing Opportunities
A record number of industry leaders gathered on Tuesday at the historic Fishmongers’ Hall in London for the 2025 edition of the Norway–UK Seafood Summit, hosted by the Norwegian Seafood Council. This flagship event continues to unite influential voices from the seafood industry, retail, foodservice, fishing, trade organisations, media and beyond, solidifying its status as a staple on the seafood industry calendar.
Building on the success of previous years, the 2025 Summit provided a dynamic and engaging forum for seafood stakeholders across various sectors. The programme, led by industry experts, delved into several pertinent topics, with the consensus that collaboration and stronger connections are pivotal to securing future growth.
Opening remarks were delivered by HE Tore Hattrem, Ambassador of Norway to the United Kingdom, alongside Mike Rowe, Director for Marine and Fisheries at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Researcher Daniel Howell, from the Institute of Marine Research, provided an update on the science behind Norway’s long-term fisheries management, stock development, and outlook.
This year’s Summit also hosted the launch of the highly anticipated Norwegian Seafood Council’s Top Seafood Consumer Trends 2025 report. The report delves into the transformative megatrends shaping global seafood consumption, with sustainability, social responsibility, and technological innovation emerging as key drivers of change. These trends are driving industry-wide shifts to meet the evolving demands of global markets.
Insights from Lars Moksness, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s Consumer Behaviour Analyst and author of the Top Seafood Consumer Trends 2025 report, highlighted the global megatrends impacting the future of the seafood industry.
A special session on cold-water prawns, featuring contributions from the Norwegian Fishermen’s Sales Organization, Hilton Foods Seachill, and the Norwegian Seafood Council, discussed the supply outlook, consumer trends shaping the UK prawn market, and future opportunities.
The summit was concluded with a standout discussion, moderated by Robin Paxton, editor-in-chief of Intrafish, bringing together leading industry representatives for an engaging session on navigating market trends and overcoming challenges.
Victoria Braathen, UK Director for the Norwegian Seafood Council, commented:
“The UK and Norway share a rich history, and a long-standing relationship built on our shared love of seafood, which continues to thrive. As the industry faces evolving challenges, this year’s event provided timely insights and forward-thinking perspectives, while offering valuable networking and collaboration opportunities. Reflecting the broad scope of our seafood trade and collaboration, the programme was designed to inspire meaningful dialogue and strengthen connections across the seafood sector.”
Norway and the UK have a long-standing seafood partnership with close relations across the industry. The UK is a key market for Norwegian seafood, and Norway remained the largest exporter of seafood to the UK in 2024. Top species exported from Norway to the UK are salmon, cod, haddock, cold-water prawns and halibut.
Overall, the 2025 Norway–UK Seafood Summit proved to be a vital platform for industry leaders to share insights, foster collaboration, and outline a sustainable future for the seafood sector. By championing strong connections and innovation, this summit underscored a shared commitment to boosting seafood consumption and driving sustainable growth between the UK and Norwegian markets.
Speakers at this year’s summit included:
Lars Moksness, PhD, Analyst, Consumer Behaviour, Norwegian Seafood Council | HE Tore Hattrem, Ambassador of Norway to the United Kingdom | Mike Rowe, Director for Marine and Fisheries, Defra | Eivind Hestvik Brækkan, Seafood Analyst, Norwegian Seafood Council | Dag Sletmo, Senior Vice President / Client Advisor, DNB Seafood | Daniel Howell, Researcher, Institute of Marine Research | Synne Guldbrandsen, Marketing Manager, Norwegian Fishermen’s Sales Organization | Josefine Voraa, Seafood Analyst, Norwegian Seafood Council | Nicola Hunter, Head of Seafood Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing, Hilton Seafoods Seachill | Julie Waites, Executive Director, Frozen at Sea Fillets Association | Andrew Crook, President, National Federation of Fish Friers | Sarah Heward, Owner, The Real Food Café | Johan Oksholen, Sales Manager, Nor Seafoods AS | Dan Aherne, CEO, New England Seafood and Member of the Board, UK Seafood Federation | Cathrin Rabben, Sales Manager, Ode and Member of NSC Whitefish Advisory Board | Morten Hyldborg Jensen, CEO, Nordic Group | Jordan Muldoon, Buying Manager Fish, Asda | Tor Bjørklund Larsen, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Fishermen’s Association
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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 thirteen 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.
