Record-levels of Norwegian seafood exports in July

“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.

Trout: Poland saw an increase in both volume and value

• Norway exported 8,432 tonnes of trout worth 692 million kroner in July
• The export value remained unchanged
• The volume fell by 10 per cent
• Poland, the USA and Ukraine were the largest markets for trout in July

Poland saw the greatest growth in value in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 103 million, or 221 per cent, compared with the same month last year. The export volume to Poland totalled 1,988 tonnes, which is 182 per cent higher than the same month last year.

Fresh cod: farmed cod dominated

• Norway exported 2,189 tonnes of fresh cod worth NOK 191 million in July
• The value increased by NOK 48 million, or 34 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This represents a 7 per cent increase in volume
• The Netherlands, Denmark and Poland were the largest markets for fresh cod in July

For fresh wild cod, the export volume fell by 47 per cent to 674 tonnes, whilst the export value fell by 34 per cent to NOK 59 million. For fresh farmed cod, export volume rose by 96 per cent to 1,514 tonnes, whilst the export value rose by 147 per cent to NOK 132 million. Farmed cod accounted for 69 per cent of the export value of fresh cod.

“As expected, farmed cod now dominates the volume of fresh cod outside the spawning season. Exports in July mark the first month ever in which over two-thirds of the export value of fresh cod comes from farmed cod, and the second month in a row with a record-high proportion of farmed cod in a single month,” says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan.

“Whilst Denmark is the largest market for fresh wild cod, the majority of fresh farmed cod goes to the Netherlands, Poland and Lithuania. All four markets are characterised by being transit and processing markets for fresh cod, and the majority of Norwegian cod is re-exported on to other consumer markets such as France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Italy”, says Brækkan.

Frozen cod: EU down, whilst the UK and China saw increases

• Norway exported 2,516 tonnes of frozen cod worth 272 million kroner in July
• The value rose by NOK 79 million, or 41 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This represents a 1 per cent increase in volume
• The UK, China and Vietnam were the largest markets for frozen cod in July

Although landings of frozen cod fell slightly in July, exports increased marginally. The July figures show a decline in exports to the EU, with growth to the UK and China.

China saw the greatest growth in value in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 52 million, or 128 per cent, compared with the same month last year. The export volume to China stood at 955 tonnes, which is 45 per cent higher than the same month last year. For the UK, the value of exports rose by 94 per cent to NOK 98 million, whilst the volume of exports increased by 44 per cent to 791 tonnes. The value of exports to the EU fell by 35 per cent to NOK 49 million, whilst the volume fell by 43 per cent to 467 tonnes.

Clipfish: record prices boosted exports despite a decline in raw materials

• Norway exported 3,082 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 380 million in July
• The value increased by NOK 123 million, or 48 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• The volume fell by 5 per cent
• Portugal, Brazil and Jamaica were the largest markets for clipfish in July

For clipfish made from saithe, the export volume fell by 19 per cent to 1,740 tonnes, whilst the export value rose by 9 per cent to NOK 140 million.

For cod clipfish, the export volume rose by 79 per cent to 942 tonnes, whilst the export value rose by 118 per cent to 199 million kroner.

So far this year, the export volume of dried cod is 17 per cent lower than last year.

“After several months of low exports of dried cod, we are seeing a clear recovery in July. In Portugal in particular – our most important market for dried cod – both volume and value have risen sharply compared with the same month last year,” says Eivind Hestvik Brækkan.

The export price for whole dried cod was a record high of NOK 211 per kg, a full NOK 20 higher than the previous record month, which was in June 2026.

There was also a record-high price for whole clipfish of saithe at NOK 80 per kg. This is NOK 4 higher than the previous record month, which was also in June 2026.

“The July figures show a significant price increase and a record high for clipfish made from cod, as well as a record high price for whole clipfish made from saithe. Limited availability of raw materials and high landing prices have contributed to the sharp rise in prices. At the same time, this is causing concern in the markets, with record-high prices for consumers and an increased risk of competing products entering the market. In the Dominican Republic, which is our largest market for clipfish made from saithe, exports of cheaper clipfish made from Alaska pollock from China have risen sharply this year,” says Brækkan.

Portugal, which is our largest market for dried cod, saw the greatest growth in value in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 97 million, or 176 per cent, compared with the same month last year. The export volume to Portugal totalled 676 tonnes, which is 99 per cent higher than the same month last year.

“The Portuguese are known for their strong loyalty to bacalao, but the historically high prices are beginning to take their toll on the market. So far this year, retail sales have fallen by 11 per cent in volume, and several of the largest product categories are showing a significant decline. At the same time, we know that the record-high export prices have not yet been fully passed on to consumers. This means that the market may face further price rises in the coming months, which will be an important test of consumers’ willingness to pay in our largest market,” says the Norwegian Seafood Council’s representative in Portugal, Gudfinna Traustadottir.

Salted fish: low cod quotas affected exports

• Norway exported 629 tonnes of salted fish worth NOK 77 million in July
• The value fell by NOK 83 million, or 52 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• The volume fell by 51 per cent
• Portugal, Canada and the UK were the largest markets for salted fish in July

“July is normally a month with low export volumes for salted fish, and this year’s figures follow that pattern. Cod dominates Norwegian salted fish exports, and we are seeing that exports of salted cod continue to fall as a result of lower cod quotas. So far this year, export volumes have fallen by 30 per cent, but higher prices have cushioned the decline in value, which so far this year stands at 16 per cent”, says Eivind Hestvik Brækkan.

Dried fish: stable exports to Italy contributed to growth in value

• Norway exported 93 tonnes of stockfish worth NOK 26 million in July
• The value increased by NOK 7 million, or 35 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This represents a 4 per cent increase in volume
• Italy, Nigeria and Mexico were the largest markets for dried fish in July

“The growth in dried fish volumes in July is primarily driven by increased exports of dried saithe. At the same time, we see that the export volume of dried cod, which is by far our most important dried fish product, fell by 3 per cent to 45 tonnes. Italy, which is the largest market for Norwegian dried fish, accounted for the strongest growth in value in July, with an increase of 4 million kroner, or 40 per cent. The export volume to Italy stood at 28 tonnes, which is on a par with the same month last year”, says Eivind Hestvik Brækkan.

Herring: record prices led to strong growth in value

• Norway exported 11,016 tonnes of herring worth NOK 234 million in July
• The value increased by NOK 51 million, or 28 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This represents a 16 per cent increase in volume
• Poland, Denmark and Canada were the largest markets for herring in July

The price of frozen whole herring reached a record high of NOK 21 per kg. This is NOK 1 higher than the previous record month, which was in June 2024.

“The increase in value for herring in July is due to both higher export volumes and record-high prices. A tight global market for pelagic fish and record-high prices for frozen whole herring contributed to a significant increase in export value in July. At the same time, increased availability of raw material following a strong herring catch earlier this year contributed to higher export volumes,” says Johan Kvalheim, Head of Pelagic Species at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Mackerel: the off-season and South Korea saw the greatest increase in value

• Norway exported 6,976 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 339 million in July
• The value rose by NOK 139 million, or 69 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• This represents a 12 per cent increase in volume
• South Korea, Vietnam and Egypt were the largest markets for mackerel in July

South Korea saw the greatest growth in value in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 116 million. The export volume to South Korea totalled 2,312 tonnes,

“July is normally a quiet month for Norwegian mackerel exports, and exports largely consist of the remaining volumes from the previous season. The strong export values primarily reflect record-high prices resulting from a tight raw material market following low catch volumes in both 2025 and 2026”, says Johan Kvalheim.

King crab: smaller crab sizes led to lower prices

• Norway exported 158 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 68 million in July
• The value fell by NOK 49 million, or 42 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• The volume fell by 15 per cent
• The US, China and the United Arab Emirates were the largest markets for king crab in July

The export value of king crab fell significantly more than the export volume in July. This must be seen in the context of changes in product mix and sizes compared with the same month last year.

“The US remained by far the largest market for Norwegian king crab, but also accounted for the biggest decline. Export volume to the US fell by 40 per cent, whilst the export value fell by 58 per cent. At the same time, exports to both China and the United Arab Emirates – which were the biggest growth markets in July – increased”, says Josefine Voraa, head of shellfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Snow crab: closed season led to sharp decline

• Norway exported 181 tonnes of snow crab worth NOK 35 million in July
• The value fell by NOK 77 million, or 69 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• The volume fell by 71 per cent
• The US, Japan and Denmark were the largest markets for snow crab in July

“A larger proportion of this year’s snow crab was exported earlier in the season than last year, resulting in lower available volumes. This explains much of the 71 per cent decline in export volume compared with the same month last year. At the same time, we see that the US is maintaining its position as the most important market for Norwegian snow crab, accounting for over half of the export volume in July”, says Josefine Voraa.

The snow crab fishery entered its annual closed season on 1 July and will reopen on 1 December.

Prawns: value stable despite lower volumes

• Norway exported 2,439 tonnes of prawns worth NOK 190 million in July
• The value increased by NOK 3 million, or 1 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• Volume fell by 34 per cent
• China, the Netherlands and Iceland were the largest markets for prawns in July

“Although the export volume of prawns fell by a third in July, the export value remained on a par with last year. A tighter global supply of cold-water prawns has contributed to higher prices, whilst a larger proportion of exports is now consisting of raw frozen prawns for fresh consumption in Asia,” says Josefine Voraa, head of shellfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Frozen raw prawns accounted for 40 per cent of the export value in July, up from 27 per cent in the same month last year. China has been the largest market for Norwegian prawns every month since March, and growth has largely been driven by increased exports of frozen raw prawns for consumption.

At the same time, exports of processed prawn products performed less well. Frozen, peeled prawns saw the biggest fall in value among prawn products in July.