Norway exported seafood worth NOK 16 billion in August. This represents an increase of NOK 1.9 billion, or 14 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

“Despite the Norwegian krone being significantly stronger than in the same month last year, the value of seafood exports in August reached a historic high. This is primarily due to increased salmon volumes at higher prices and price rises for cod, mackerel, herring and saithe,” says Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Growth in the US for the first time this year

So far this year, Norway has exported seafood worth 115.7 billion kroner. This represents an increase of 2.6 billion kroner, or 2 per cent, compared with the same period last year.

Seafood exports to the US have slowed sharply in 2026, and last month the country increased its punitive tariff on Norway to 12.5 per cent. Nevertheless, in August, for the very first time this year, there was a rise in the value of exports to the US market.

“Although Norway has been subject to less favourable tariff conditions than several of our competitor nations, we have seen growth in salmon exports to the US for two months running. At the same time, the US is no longer in the top three of our largest seafood markets. This is mainly because other countries experienced greater growth, particularly in salmon,” says Christian Chramer.

Underlying growth in demand for Norwegian salmon

Growth in the US is driven mainly by salmon.

“Favourable biological conditions this summer have given us access to large quantities of high-quality fish, which is in high demand in the lucrative sushi segment, including in the US. In addition, there is underlying growth in demand for Norwegian salmon in the global seafood market, which is driving up both prices and export value, explains Chramer.

Positive development across all major markets

In total, Norway exported seafood worth NOK 1.1 billion to the US in August, representing a 4 per cent increase compared with the same month last year.

Here are the five largest export destinations by value in August (changes from the same month last year in brackets):

  1. Poland: NOK 2.23 billion (+36%)
  2. China: NOK 1.4 billion (+34 per cent)
  3. The Netherlands: NOK 1.16 billion (+31 per cent)
  4. USA: 1.13 billion kroner (+4%)
  5. United Kingdom: NOK 900 million (+16%)

Increased salmon consumption in Poland, the Netherlands, Slovakia and the Czech Republic

Poland was Norway’s largest export market in August and also recorded the highest growth in value. The Netherlands overtook the USA in the rankings and was our third-largest market.

“Poland and the Netherlands are traditionally regarded as purely processing markets, but we are now seeing that growth in domestic salmon consumption is strongest in precisely these two countries, as well as in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. This is a trend we have been observing for some time,” explains Chramer.

Highest-ever share of exports from aquaculture

In August, fish from aquaculture exports totalled 13 billion kroner. This accounted for 81.4 per cent of the total value of seafood exports, which is the highest ever recorded.

“The quota restrictions in recent years have affected the balance of our export portfolio. This is particularly evident in the whitefish category, where farmed cod accounted for 72 per cent of the export value of fresh cod in August. At the same time, there was a decline in volume for several of our wild-caught species, such as saithe, mackerel, herring and king crab”, says Christian Chramer.

Seafood exports to China continue to rise. Salmon, haddock and blue whiting were the three largest species exported to this market in August, and all saw solid growth in both volume and value.

Salmon: A record-breaking month

  • Norway exported 153,602 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 12.3 billion in August
  • The value increased by NOK 2 billion, or 19 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • This represents a 7 per cent increase in volume
  • Poland, the Netherlands and China were the largest markets for salmon in August

This is a record-high export value for salmon in a single month, NOK 19 million higher than the previous record month, which was in October 2025.

Poland saw the greatest growth in value in August, with an increase in export value of NOK 487 million, or 32 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

Export volumes to Poland totalled 28,800 tonnes, which is 21 per cent higher than in the same month last year.

The Netherlands was the second-largest growth market, with an increase of NOK 293 million, or 40 per cent, compared with August last year.

“The growth in the largest processed product markets reflects strong demand for processed salmon products in Europe. Although some of this volume may not be consumed until next year, we are seeing category growth for processed salmon products in the European market,” says market analyst Paul T. Aandahl of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

78 per cent of salmon exports in August consisted of whole fish. The corresponding figure for the same month last year was 75 per cent.

Trout: Decline in both volume and value

  • Norway exported 6,337 tonnes of trout worth NOK 551 million in August
  • The value fell by NOK 81 million, or 13 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • The volume fell by 28 per cent
  • Poland, the USA and Ukraine were the largest markets for trout in August

Poland saw the greatest growth in value in August, with an increase in export value of NOK 75 million, or 210 per cent, compared with the same month last year. Export volume to Poland totalled 1,423 tonnes, which is 159 per cent higher than the same month last year.

Sharp fall in fresh wild-caught cod

  • Norway exported 1,934 tonnes of fresh cod worth NOK 165 million in August
  • The value increased by NOK 32 million, or 24 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • This represents a 6 per cent increase in volume
  • The Netherlands, Denmark and Lithuania were the largest markets for fresh cod in August

Although landings increased slightly in August compared with the same month last year, the export volume of fresh wild cod fell by 45 per cent to 546 tonnes, whilst the export value fell by 36 per cent to NOK 47 million.

This suggests that more fresh wild cod went to the Norwegian onshore processing industry in August.

72 per cent of fresh cod comes from aquaculture

For fresh farmed cod, the export volume rose by 69 per cent to 1,388 tonnes, whilst the export value rose by 99 per cent to NOK 118 million. Farmed cod accounted for 72 per cent of the export value of fresh cod.

“This is the highest proportion of farmed cod ever. It is also the second month in a row that over 70 per cent of fresh cod exports have been farmed cod,” says market analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

So far this year, 42 per cent of fresh cod exports have been farmed cod, measured by value.

“Whilst most of the wild cod went to Denmark, exports of farmed cod are spread across several markets. Over 600 tonnes of farmed cod were exported to the Netherlands in August, whilst Poland, Lithuania and the UK also received between 100 and 300 tonnes each last month,” explains Brækkan.

Except for the UK, most of the volume is processed and re-exported to other fresh markets.

Frozen cod: China is the largest market

  • Norway exported 1,996 tonnes of frozen cod worth NOK 205 million in August
  • The value increased by NOK 25 million, or 14 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • The volume fell by 4 per cent
  • China, the UK and Vietnam were the largest markets for frozen cod in August

Vietnam saw the greatest growth in value in August, with an export value of NOK 43 million, compared with nothing the previous year. The export volume totalled 457 tonnes.

“Both Vietnam and China are processing and re-exporting increasing quantities of frozen cod to the US, which has an import ban on cod of Russian origin. This has contributed to increased demand for non-Russian raw materials in both China and Vietnam,” says market analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Clipfish: Low supply of saithe

  • Norway exported 5,277 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 658 million in August
  • The value increased by NOK 147 million, or 29 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • The volume fell by 2 per cent
  • Portugal, Brazil and Congo-Brazzaville were the largest markets for clipfish in August

For clipfish made from saithe, the export volume fell by 22 per cent to 2,387 tonnes, whilst the export value fell by 3 per cent to NOK 188 million.

“Very low pollock landings mean there is little raw material available for the clipfish industry in Norway, which has resulted in lower export volumes throughout the year. The decline in volume also continued in August,” says market analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

For dried cod, export volumes rose by 19 per cent to 2,008 tonnes, whilst the value of exports increased by 43 per cent to NOK 385 million.

Largest increase in value to Portugal

Accounting for 80 per cent of the export volume of dried cod, Portugal – our largest market for dried cod – saw the greatest growth in value in August.

The export value to Portugal rose by NOK 93 million, or 43 per cent, compared with the same month last year. The export volume totalled 1,654 tonnes, which is 22 per cent higher than the same month last year.

“This is the second month in a row of volume growth for dried cod exports to Portugal, but so far this year there is still a 12 per cent decline. Even with the growth seen in recent months, the market situation in Portugal remains challenging,” explains Brækkan.

Record high prices and limited availability of cod have, over time, affected sales to consumers. As with Norwegian exports to Portugal, there has also been a decline in sales volumes in the grocery sector so far this year.

“The fact that export volumes to Portugal are now rising for the second month in a row is therefore a positive sign of a gradual stabilisation in our most important clipfish market,” says Gudfinna Traustadottir, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s representative in Portugal.

Salted fish: Increased export volume of cod

  • Norway exported 677 tonnes of salted fish worth NOK 85 million in August
  • The value rose by NOK 54 million, or 177 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • This represents a 122 per cent increase in volume
  • Portugal, Canada and Spain were the largest markets for salted fish in August

“This is the first month since January to see volume growth for salted fish. The growth is driven by increased export volumes of salted cod, which accounts for over 80 per cent of the export volume,” says market analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Portugal saw the highest growth in value in August, with an increase in export value of NOK 50 million, or 237 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

The export volume to Portugal totalled 492 tonnes, which is 200 per cent higher than in the same month last year.

So far this year, however, export volume to Portugal has fallen by 26 per cent.

Dried fish: Significant increase in volume

  • Norway exported 185 tonnes of dried fish worth 39 million kroner in August
  • The value increased by NOK 21 million, or 121 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • This represents a 126 per cent increase in volume
  • Italy and Nigeria were the largest markets for dried fish in August

Italy saw the greatest growth in value in August, with an increase in export value of NOK 16 million, or 429 per cent, compared with the same month last year. The export volume to Italy totalled 39 tonnes, which is 266 per cent higher than the same month last year.

Herring: Largest increase in value to Ukraine

  • Norway exported 8,814 tonnes of herring worth NOK 228 million in August
  • The value fell by NOK 70 million, or 23 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • The volume fell by 38 per cent
  • Poland, Denmark and the Netherlands were the largest markets for herring in August

Ukraine saw the highest growth in value in August, with an increase in export value of NOK 14 million, or 200 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

The volume of exports to Ukraine totalled 787 tonnes, which is 121 per cent higher than in the same month last year.

“Export volume to Ukraine is almost back to the same level as before the country was invaded by Russia in 2022. The most important product category in August was frozen North Sea herring,” says market analyst Paul T. Aandahl at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Mackerel: Sharp fall in volume and value

  • Norway exported 4,926 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 236 million in August
  • The value fell by NOK 230 million, or 49 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • The volume fell by 60 per cent
  • China, Vietnam and Japan were the largest markets for mackerel in August

China saw the greatest growth in value in August, with an increase in export value of NOK 15 million, or 60 per cent, compared with the same month last year.

Export volume to China totalled 900 tonnes, which is 42 per cent higher than the same month last year.

“The combination of a significant quota reduction and a later start to the mackerel fishing season compared with last year has reduced export volume in August,” says market analyst Paul T. Aandahl at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

In terms of price, August saw a record high for the main product – frozen whole mackerel under 600 grams – at NOK 46.46 per kg.

The previous August record was set last year at NOK 36.64 per kg. The highest average monthly price for mackerel was in December 2025, at NOK 50.83 per kg.

King crab: Sharp decline in exports to the US

  • Norway exported 149 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 75 million in August
  • The value fell by NOK 39 million, or 34 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • The volume fell by 21 per cent
  • The US, Canada and China were the largest markets for king crab in August

In August, the sharpest decline was seen in exports of frozen king crab to the US. These fell by 49 per cent, or NOK 41 million, compared with the same month last year. The fall in volume was 58 per cent, or 48 tonnes.

Exports of live king crab rose by 34 per cent, to 87 tonnes, in August. China and Hong Kong were the largest recipients.

“Despite the increase in volume in August, the value of exports fell. A higher proportion of smaller king crabs from the open-access zone are one of the reasons for this. The fall in value was 33 per cent compared with August last year”, says market analyst Lars Olai Flydal Rorgemoen of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

So far this year, exports of frozen king crab to the US have fallen by 60 per cent, or 393 tonnes.

“Lower volumes available and a more cautious US market are among the reasons for this year’s decline”, explains Rorgemoen.

Snow crab: The fishery is currently in a closed season

  • Norway exported 95 tonnes of snow crab worth NOK 17 million in August
  • The value fell by NOK 36 million, or 68 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • The volume fell by 65 per cent
  • The USA, Hong Kong SAR and the Netherlands were the largest markets for snow crab in August

Exports of snow crab saw a decline in both volume and value compared with August last year.

“This must be seen in the context of the fishery being in a closed season, which means that lower volumes are normally exported at this time of year,” says market analyst Lars Olai Flydal Rorgemoen of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Export volume fell by 65 per cent to 95 tonnes, whilst the value fell by 68 per cent to 17 million kroner.

So far this year, however, the volume is still 5 per cent higher than last year. The US was by far the largest market in August, accounting for 80 per cent of the export value.

“This underlines that the US remained the main market for snow crab in August,” says Rorgemoen.

Prawns: Stable volume and increased value

  • Norway exported 2,889 tonnes of prawns worth NOK 198 million in August
  • The value increased by NOK 48 million, or 32 per cent, compared with the same month last year
  • This represents a 1 per cent increase in volume
  • Iceland, China and Denmark were the largest markets for prawns in August

“Despite lower landings of cold-water prawns in Norway so far this year, export volumes remained stable in August compared with the same month last year,” says market analyst Lars Olai Flydal Rorgemoen of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

For frozen peeled prawns, there was strong growth in value in August. Although the volume fell by 8 per cent compared with August last year, the value rose by 24 per cent, to NOK 65 million.

Export volumes of frozen peeled prawns rose by 34 per cent and 22 per cent to Sweden and the UK respectively, which are two key consumer markets.

“Exports of frozen raw prawns for consumption in China continued the strong trend seen in previous months this year. Export volumes rose by 52 per cent to 365 tonnes in August compared with the same month last year, whilst strong price growth has boosted the value by 77 per cent to NOK 71 million in August, explains Rorgemoen.

In August, 1,145 tonnes of frozen raw industrial prawns were also exported to Iceland and Denmark, worth NOK 41 million – an increase of NOK 19 million. The average price per kilo was NOK 35.77, which is 67 per cent higher than in the same month last year.