All time high for Norwegian seafood export

- Seafood is still one of Norway's most sought-after global trade goods and has firmly established itself as the country's second-largest export product, behind oil and gas, commented Christian Chramer, Managing Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, when releasing the statistics this week.

Aquaculture is key

In tonnes the Norwegian seafood exports amounted to 2.8 million tonnes, which is per cent less than the previous year. The increase in value is supported by a weakened Norwegian currency.   

- In total, the devaluation of the krone contributed to increasing the export value by almost NOK 15 billion in 2023, explains Christian Chramer, adding the also the general price increase in the markets helped lift export to a record high level.

Salmon remains the main contributor to Norwegian seafood exports. In 2023, Norway exported 1.2 million tonnes of salmon. Farmed salmon and trout experienced a decline in volume, but increased in value, and last year accounted for NOK 128 billion. The volume in the pelagic sector, including mackerel and herring, was the lowest since 2016.

- The seafood industry has every reason to be proud - from the smallest shark fisherman to the people at the largest aquaculture facilities, says Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Cecilie Myrseth (Ap).

Vestland county is together with Nordland county the two regions reporting the highest value creation, with Troms og Finnmark, Møre og Romsdal and Trøndelag counties each had a direct value creation of between NOK 11 and 16 billion.  

Still challenging times

The record high numbers are however not visible at all bottom lines.

- On a day where we are celebrating a new value record for seafood exports, it is important to remember that this does not equate to solid bottom lines for the seafood companies. For many of them, these are still challenging times with increased costs, weakened consumer purchasing power and a changing global competitive landscape, emphasises Christian Chramer.

In addition, the aquaculture industry needs to solve a lot of challenges to make the business more sustainable. This includes reduction of waste at production sites and improvement of fish health. The Bergen region is a seafood hub, rigged to participate in solving the challenges, with an ecosystem including leading seafood companies, international firms and pioneering start-ups. Leading the field in research and competence building, the region is also home to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, the Institute of Marine Research, the NCE Seafood Innovation Cluster and the University of Bergen, which is Norway’s largest marine university.

Can your business contribute to the value chain? Don't hesitate to contact us if you plan a visit and we can introduce your company to our, assist in finding ideal business locations or help you explore business opportunities in the Bergen region. 

Facts about seafood exports 2023

• Norway exported seafood to a total of 153 countries in 2023. This is six more than last year.
• The five largest species measured in value are Salmon: NOK 122.5 billion (+16 per cent), Cod: NOK 12.2 billion (+0 per cent), Mackerel: NOK 6.7 billion (+7 per cent), Trout: NOK 5.5 billion (+10 per cent) and Herring: NOK 4 billion (+3 per cent).
• In 2023 a 20 per cent reduction in the cod quota resulted in lower catches. Despite this, the export value for most cod categories increased. A similar situation was observed for mackerel, with lower catches but a record-high export value.
• Poland, Denmark, and the USA were the largest markets for Norwegian seafood exports in 2023.
• Every day 16 million Norwegian salmon meals were served worldwide.