Value of Norway salmon exports to US fell by $43m last month
Demand from Poland and China helps compensate for change blamed on tariffs and weaker dollar
The value of Norwegian farmed salmon exported to the United States in January tumbled by 37% (NOK 415 million / US $43.1m) compared to the same month last year, new figures show.
“The tariff effect has now had a clear impact on Norwegian salmon exports. After a moderate decline of 1% in the fourth quarter of 2025, there was a volume drop of 29% in January,” said Karine Rød Haraldsson, the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to the US.
“This shows that market access has been significantly weakened and that Norwegian exporters face tougher competition from countries that do not have a 15% tariff.”
In January last year, the US was the Norway salmon sector’s largest single market. This year, the country has been overtaken by Poland, China, and the Netherlands.
“For the very first time, the export value of salmon to China exceeded 1 billion kroner in a single month, so the strong demand is mitigating some of the consequences of the decline in the US,” said Norwegian Seafood Council chief executive Christian Chramer.
Stronger krone
The Norwegian krone has strengthened significantly against the US dollar and several important Asian currencies in January compared to the same month last year.
"It helped to dampen export value measured in Norwegian kroner. A strengthened krone makes Norwegian seafood more expensive in the US and Japan, among other places," said Chramer.
Norway exported 112,092 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 10.4 billion in January. The value fell by NOK 133 million, or 1%, compared to the same month last year, despite a 20% increase in export volume.
Big increase from Poland
Poland had the largest value growth in January, with an increase in export value of NOK 424m, or 42%, compared to the same month last year.
Export volume to Poland ended at 17,071 tonnes, which is 71% higher than the same month last year.
“The growth of Poland stood out in January. This is traditionally a processing market, but now they are also increasingly eating salmon themselves,” said Chramer.
More to China
A total of 10,997 tonnes of salmon products were exported to China. The volume increased by 86%, while the value increased by 34%.
“The last two weeks have been particularly strong. Prices for Norwegian salmon in January have been significantly lower compared to the same month last year, so we can therefore expect that we have taken market share,” said the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to China, Sigmund Bjørgo.
The export growth must be seen in the context of Chinese New Year, which is a strong season for salmon consumption in China both in the run-up to and during the celebration.
“Many producers are now marketing gift packages with salmon. This year, Chinese New Year's Eve is on February 16, three weeks later than last year, and there are official holidays from February 15 to February 23. Therefore, we can expect a continued strong market in the coming weeks,” said Bjørgo.
Trout and cod
Norway exported 5,942 tonnes of trout worth NOK 560m in January. The value fell by NOK 121 million, or 18%, compared to the same month last year, and the volume fell by 16%.
Poland, Thailand and the US were the largest markets for trout in January.
Farmed cod accounted for 34% of the NOK 316m export value of fresh cod in January.
The value increased by NOK 53m, or 20%, compared to the same month last year, while volume was up by 3%.
