The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) said that the first half of 2025 was, "the best ever for Norwegian seafood exports."
In total, Norway exported 1.3 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK85 billion (US$8.4 billion). NSC said this corresponds to a volume of 36 million meals every single day.
"The first half of the year shows that Norwegian seafood exports are strong, even in the face of demanding market conditions and increasing trade barriers," said Christian Chramer, CEO of NSC. "The fact that we are seeing growth in the export value to key markets such as the US, China and the UK confirms the high level of confidence in Norwegian seafood products.
"This underlines the robustness of the value chain and the value of effective market access and the seafood companies' long-term efforts in priority markets."
"In a six months characterised by turmoil and uncertainty, it is particularly gratifying to see that the export of Norwegian seafood is not only stable, but also growing," added Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Affairs Marianne Sivertsen Næss. "It shows how skilled the industry is at delivering high-quality, sustainable seafood that people all over the world want."
Chramer said that exports of Norwegian salmon increased by three per cent in value compared to last year.
"In addition, trout exports have grown sharply, along with far more valuable mackerel, herring and snow crab exports than in the same period last year."
The largest markets for Norwegian seafood exports in the first half of the year were the United States, Poland and China. The USA had the largest growth in value, with an increase in export value of NOK2.394 billion (US$240 million), or 38 per cent, compared with the first half of last year. The export volume to the US ended at 66,299 tonnes, which is 29 per cent higher than the first half of last year.
NSC said Norwegian seafood was exported to a total of 151 countries in the first half of the year, which is 10 more than in the first half of last year.
The export value in June ended at NOK13.2 billion (US$1.31 billion). NSC said this is an increase of NOK1 billion (US$99 million), or nine per cent, from the same month last year.
Other countries in the top 10 in H1 2025 are Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.
The 10 largest species measured in value (in descending order) are salmon, cod, trout, mackerel, saithe, herring, snow crab, haddock, prawns, and king crab.
The value from aquaculture accounts for 73 per cent of total seafood exports measured in value, while in volume it accounts for 50 per cent.
In the first half of the year, Norway exported 658,000 tonnes of seafood from aquaculture for an export value of NOK61.9 billion (US$6.14 billion). Export value increased by NOK2.4 billion (US$240 million), or four per cent, compared with 2024.
NSC said the value from fisheries accounts for 27 per cent of total seafood exports measured in value, while in volume it accounts for 50 per cent.
In the first half of the year, Norway exported 668,000 tonnes of seafood from fisheries for a value of NOK22.7 billion (US$2.25 billion). Although the export volume fell by 9.2 per cent, the value increased by NOK2.2 billion (US$220 million), or 11 per cent, compared with 2024.
Norway exported 609,946 tonnes of salmon worth NOK57.8 billion (US$5.73 billion) in the first half of the year. Export value increased by NOK1.6 billion (US$160 million), or three per cent, compared with the first half of last year, for a growth in volume of 22 per cent.
Poland, the USA, and France were the largest markets for salmon in the first half of the year, though according to Seafood Analyst Paul T. Aandahl, China had the largest growth in value in the first half of the year, with an increase in export value of NOK1.494 billion (US$150 million), or 62 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
The export volume to China ended at 42,224 tonnes, which is 122 per cent higher than in the first half of last year.
"China's growth trend continued in June," said Aandahl. "Also this month, China was the largest growth market for Norwegian salmon, with an increase of NOK321 million (US$31.9 million), or 84 per cent. The growth is seen in connection with a strong increase in demand in China."
"It is the sum of new and different sales channels that contributes to the massive growth of salmon to China," explained Sigmund Bjørgo, Seafood Envoy to China.
"The promotion and sales take place in online channels and on social media. At the same time, this spills over into the traditional sales channels, which create hybrid variants, with online stores and restaurants in one. These sell to passers-by, visitors who sit down, and via delivery apps."
NSC said that so far this year, China is Norway's sixth largest salmon market, measured in value, after Poland, the USA, France, Spain and the Netherlands.