Norwegian seafood exports to Africa

Africa is an important region for Norwegian dried and salted fish.
The Norwegian Seafood Council is represented locally in Angola by our country director Johnny Håberg. The Council focuses particularly on clipfish for Congo and stockfish for Nigeria. Seafood consumption in the region is low.

Norwegian exports to Nigeria

Exports to Nigeria are affected by various market access issues, which at times cause problems for both Norwegian exporters and Nigerian importers.

Total exports to Nigeria reached NOK 373 million in 2024. Stockfish makes up the largest share of exports, with heads being the largest product category, followed by whole dried fish and other by-products. Norway holds a 25% market share for dried cod, 96% for dried heads, and 20% for other by-products.

The coming years will be marked by challenges. Nigeria’s weak currency is leading to high inflation, and cod product prices are expected to rise due to lower quotas. This will be a greater challenge for whole stockfish than for by-products, where species other than cod may have an advantage.

The Seafood Council is working to ensure good market access, especially for heads and by-products, to keep consumer costs low. For whole stockfish, the focus is on positioning so that Norway is ready when quotas increase and the market recovers.

Norwegian salted fish exports to the Congos

The largest share of salted fish exports to the Congos goes to the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) due to more favorable market access compared to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), even though most consumption occurs in the latter.

Import distribution varies depending on market access. Total exports to Congo-Brazzaville were NOK 523 million in 2024, of which NOK 498 million was clipfish of saithe. Norway holds a 100% market share. Direct exports to DRC totaled NOK 64 million, also mostly clipfish of saithe.

Clipfish (Makayabo) is mostly sold in open markets and used in stews. Exports to these markets have increased over the past decade and are expected to continue growing due to anticipated economic growth, a large population, and a tradition of clipfish in the diet.

The Seafood Council is continuously working to ensure good market access, especially to DRC, strong B2B relationships, and increased awareness of Norwegian clipfish in the market.

Market plans for Africa