Norway exported 1.415 million tonnes of salmon last year

Norway exported a total of 2.8 million tonnes of seafood worth a record NOK 181.5 billion (£13.4bn at today’s exchange rate) last year. This is an increase of NOK 6.4bn, or 4%, compared with 2024.

Farmed salmon accounted for NOK 124.7bn (68.7%) of the seafood export value, with a 13% increase in export volume, although that increase also depressed spot prices. Norway exported 1,414,909 tonnes of salmon (round weight) last year, and export value of the fish increased by NOK 2.2bn, or 2%, compared with the previous year.

“2025 was a demanding year for seafood, with lower quotas and catches at record prices for all our most important wild-caught species. The year was also characterised by strong volume growth for salmon. Despite a significantly lower salmon price, it was a record year for Norwegian seafood exports in terms of value,” said Christian Chramer, chief executive of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Biggest markets

The largest markets for Norwegian seafood exports in 2025 were Poland, the United States, and China.

In 2025, 9% of Norwegian seafood exports went to the US - the highest share since 1989. However, in April and August, the US increased its tariffs on Norwegian seafood to 15% or higher on all products.

“Last year, Norway sold seafood to more than 150 countries, so we are completely dependent on good market access and an efficient flow of goods,” said Chramer.

“The USA’s new tariffs created a lot of noise and turmoil for Norwegian seafood exports. From being a market with record growth and an almost insatiable appetite for salmon and crab from Norway in the first half of 2025, US trade throughout the year was characterised by tariffs, a weaker dollar and weaker development.”

Tariff impact

The result of Trump’s tariffs was that while seafood export value to the US grew by 55% in Q1 compared to the same period in 2024, it fell by 1% in Q4.

Nonetheless, Chramer is optimistic. “The USA is by far the world's largest market for salmon consumption and has been one of our largest growth markets over time, also in 2025. It is very important for Norwegian seafood, and the potential for further growth remains high,” said the Seafood Council chief.

The European market bought the most Norwegian seafood last year. For the 12th consecutive year, Poland was the largest market, but the total value share that Norway exported to Europe fell from 67% to 63%.

“Poland is an important processing market, but we see that consumption of Norwegian salmon has increased significantly there in recent years,” said Chramer.

China's importance grows

China had the highest value growth in 2025, with an increase in export value of NOK 2.9bn, or 31%, compared with the previous year. The country bought Norwegian seafood for a total of NOK 12.3bn and went from being its sixth largest market in 2024 to its third largest last year.

Salmon exports to China increased in value by NOK 3bn, or 59%, compared with the previous year. In total, the value of Norwegian salmon exported salmon to China was NOK 8.1bn. The export volume ended at 90,906 tonnes, which is 99% higher than the previous year.

“Thanks to increased e-commerce, better distribution channels and strong growth in salmon consumption, China became a growth engine for Norwegian seafood exports in 2025,” said Chramer.

“Norway has never exported more seafood to China, measured in value, than last year. Growth was particularly strong for salmon, prawns, redfish and Greenland halibut.

“Last year, the volume of salmon to China was twice as high as the year before. This is due to strong growth in demand, falling prices and the fact that the Chinese no longer just buy large salmon over six kilos, but also smaller sizes.”

Solid for trout

Last year was a solid one for trout farmers.

Norway exported 86,903 tonnes of trout worth NOK 7.4bn in 2025.

Export volume increased by 16% compared to 2024, and the value increased by NOK 667 million, or 10%.

Ukraine, the US, and Thailand were the largest markets for trout last year.

For fresh farmed cod, the export volume increased by 30% to 15,493 tonnes, while the export value increased by 50% to NOK 1.1bn.

Farmed cod accounted for a record-high share of the export value of fresh cod in 2025. As much as 38% of fresh cod exports were farmed in 2025, up from 28% in 2024.