Record-levels of Norwegian seafood exports in July

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 15.6 billion ($1.6 billion) in July. This represents an increase of NOK 1.8 billion, or 13 per cent, compared with the same period last year.

“July was a strong month for Norwegian seafood exports. Salmon drove both increased export volumes and higher prices. Rising prices for cod, mackerel and trout also made a positive contribution. A stronger Norwegian krone has put a damper on value growth, but the strong growth in salmon sales overshadows this effect and ensures that the total export value is rising. In addition, the international attention on Norway in connection with the FIFA World Cup is helping to maintain interest in several key markets”, says Christian Chramer, Chief Executive of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

“Despite changing trade policy frameworks, quota cuts and currency effects, July this year was the best July on record for Norwegian seafood exports, measured by value. In addition to price rises for salmon, cod, mackerel and trout, we recorded record prices for clipfish made from cod and frozen herring”, says Chramer.

• The largest markets for Norwegian seafood exports in July were Poland, China and the US
• Poland saw the greatest growth in value, with an increase in export value of NOK 343 million, or 20 per cent, compared with the same month last year. The volume of exports to Poland totalled 31,484 tonnes, which is 13 per cent higher than the same month last year.

Seafood exports to China rose by 21 per cent to NOK 1.6 billion in July. Salmon accounted for 65 per cent of this.

So far this year, Norway has exported 75,800 tonnes of salmon to China, worth NOK 5.6 billion. This represents a 41 per cent increase in value and a 46 per cent increase in volume.

“China has consolidated its position as Norway’s second-largest salmon market. Capacity in the Chinese salmon sashimi processing industry continues to increase, enabling further growth in domestic consumption of salmon. In the first half of the year, Norway’s market share stood at 61 per cent, up from 57 per cent for the same period last year,” says Chramer.

“The value of exports to the US fell by just four per cent, meaning the US retained its position as our third-largest export market for seafood in July. Fresh and frozen salmon fillets, which have been our main products for the US market, continued to decline, whilst fresh whole salmon had a strong month, with export volumes rising from 810 to 2,350 tonnes. Several factors may have contributed to this trend. Among other things, good availability of large Norwegian salmon suitable for sushi consumption may have played a role. There may also have been lower export volumes from competing countries, combined with solid demand in the market. Among other key species, we saw a continued sharp decline in king crab and snow crab in July, whilst trout increased slightly”, says Chramer.

Salmon: strong demand and favourable production conditions

• Norway exported 147,891 tonnes of salmon worth 11.6 billion kroner in July
• The value increased by NOK 1.6 billion, or 16 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This represents a 10 per cent increase in volume
• July 2026 was the strongest July on record for salmon exports, both in terms of value and volume
• Poland, China and the Netherlands were the largest markets for salmon in July

“Favourable production conditions and an increase in the average size of the salmon have led to record-high export volumes of salmon this summer,” says Paul Aandahl, seafood analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council. Despite the growth in volume, prices were higher than in the same month last year. “For example, exports of fresh whole salmon have risen by 12 per cent to just under 123,000 tonnes, whilst the price rose by 8 per cent to NOK 71.48 per kg,” says seafood analyst Paul Aandahl.

“Tariffs on exports to the US are still affecting salmon exports. Although exports to the US rose by 2 per cent in value, the other major salmon markets are growing much more rapidly. Last July, the US was Norway’s second-largest salmon market. In July this year, the market has fallen to fifth place. This should be seen in the context of the tariffs imposed on imports of Norwegian seafood”, says Aandahl.

Demand for Norwegian salmon in China remains strong. Norway exported 12,464 tonnes to China in July, worth NOK 1 billion. This represented a value increase of NOK 278 million, or 37 per cent, whilst the volume increase was 2,643 tonnes, or 27 per cent.

“Never before has Norway exported such a volume to China in a single month. Export prices to China rose by 8 per cent in July compared with the same month last year. This made China the fastest-growing market for Norwegian salmon in July”, says Aandahl.

Read more about other seafood exports here.