All time high for Norwegian seafood exports

“Norwegian seafood has reached another milestone,” proclaims Bjørnar Skjæran, Fisheries and Oceans Minister.

2,9 million tonnes of seafood with a value of 151,4 billion kroner (€14,3 billion) made 2022 to the best year ever for Norwegian seafood export.

Farmed salmon is the main reason for the all time high, counting for 105,8 billion kroner, or two third of the total export value. The year-on-year increase compared with 2021 is about 30 percent.

Salmon was sold for much higher prices, with Poland, France and the United States as the largest markets. In volume, salmon export was down 2 percent, the Norwegian Seafood Council informs.

“The USA had the most significant increase in value last year, with an export value of NOK 3.2 billion, or 57 percent, compared to the previous year. The export volume to the USA ended at around 66 000 tonnes, which is 22 percent higher than the previous year”, says Seafood Analyst Paul T. Aandahl with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Also farmed trout had a good year, with USA, Thailand and Lithuania as the three largest markets. Export value grow by 24 percent to 5 billion kroner, with fresh trout fillet getting the highest price per kilo.

Cod, mainly from catch in the Norwegian- and Barents Seas, also reached a record last year. Nearly 81,000 tonnes of frozen cod at a value of 4,1 billion. China bought most (29,590 tonnes) followed by the fish-and-chips eating British market (15,500 tonnes).

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“Despite a turbulent and financially demanding year, the development of Norwegian seafood for the British market has been very positive. 2022 was a record year for Norwegian seafood to the UK measured in value, with a significant increase for frozen whole cod. Several other species also show increased demand and confirm Norwegian seafood’s strong position in the British market”, says the Norwegian Seafood Council’s envoy to the UK, Victoria Braathen.

2023 might be more challenging in regards to cod export as quotas are significantly reduced.