Norway's seafood exports reach record-high July figures in 2025
Norway exported seafood worth NOK13.9 billion (US$1.36 billion) in July 2025, an increase of NOK1.1 billion (US$110 million), or eight per cent, compared with the same month last year, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) said earlier this week.
"Seafood exports have had a historically strong July in terms of value," said NSC CEO Christian Chamer. "This is primarily due to high salmon volumes and impressive value growth to China."
Approaching NOK100 billion in export value
So far this year, Norway has exported seafood worth NOK99 billion (US$9.7 billion). The NSC said this is exactly the same value as in the whole of 2018.
"Despite the fact that world trade is experiencing demanding times and competition in the market is tough, seafood from Norway has a strong global position," added Chramer. "This is also true in the middle of summer."
In addition to salmon and trout, there was also growth in July for king crab, prawns and snow crab.
Largest value growth to China
The largest markets for Norwegian seafood exports in July were Poland, China, and the United States.
China had the highest value growth in July, with an increase in export value of NOK613 million (US$60.2 million), or 88 per cent, compared with the same month last year. In total, Norway exported seafood worth NOK1.3 billion (US$130 million) to China in July.
Record salmon volumes, lower prices and new sales channels
“Salmon is the main driver of export value to China," said Chramer. "A combination of record-high available volumes, lower prices and new emerging sales channels in the Chinese market contributed to the positive trend continuing in July.
"China is now the largest growth market for Norwegian salmon so far this year."
Poland and China overtaking US
Seafood exports to the US continued to grow in July compared with the same month last year. Last month, Norway exported NOK1.1 billion worth of seafood to the US, an increase in value of 17 per cent compared with July last year.
In terms of value, the US was Norway's largest export market in the first five months of the year. However, in June and July, the value of Norwegian seafood exports to Poland and China was higher than to the US.
“In July, there was an increase in the value of salmon, trout, king crab and snow crab to the USA, so the Americans continue to buy large quantities of Norwegian seafood," said Chramer.
Record volume growth for salmon
Norway exported 136,054 tonnes of salmon worth NOK10.2 billion (US$1 billion) in July. The value increased by NOK800 million (US$79 million), or eight per cent, compared with the same month last year. Poland, the US and the Netherlands were the largest markets for salmon in July.
“There is a seasonal variation in salmon exports, so a July volume of 136,000 tonnes is remarkably high," said NSC Seafood Analyst Paul T. Aandahl. "It almost equals the record volume we had in September and October last year. The reason for this is favourable biological conditions that have resulted in increased production compared with July 2024."
