Norwegian salmon exports leaped by 16% in value in July

The value and volume of farmed salmon exported from fish farming heavyweight Norway in July increased by 16% and 10% respectively compared to the same month last year, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) said today.

Norway exported 147,891 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 11.6 billion (£924.5 million) last month, making it the strongest ever July for salmon exports in terms of value in NOK and volume.

Poland, China, and the Netherlands were the largest markets for salmon in July.

“Favourable production conditions and increased average size of the salmon have led to a record export volume of salmon this summer,” said Paul Aandahl, seafood analyst at the NSC.

Despite the volume growth, the price was higher than in the same month last year. For example, exports of fresh whole salmon increased by 12% to just under 123,000 tonnes, while the price increased by 8% to NOK 71.48 per kilogram, said Aandahl.

“Tariffs to the US are still affecting salmon exports. Although exports increased by 2% in value to the US, the other major salmon markets are increasing much more,” added the analyst.

“In July last year, the US was Norway's second largest salmon market. In July this year, the market has fallen to fifth place. This must be seen in connection with the tariff that has been introduced on imports of Norwegian seafood.”

Strong demand in China

There is still strong demand for Norwegian salmon in China. Norway exported 12,464 tonnes to China in July at a value of NOK 1 billion. This was a value increase of NOK 278 million or 37%, while the volume increase was 2,643 tonnes or 27%.

“Never before has Norway exported a similar volume to China in a single month. Export prices to China increased by 8% in July compared to the same month last year. This made China the market for Norwegian salmon that grew the most in July,” said Aandahl.

So far this year, Norway has exported 75,800 tonnes of salmon to China for NOK 5.6 bn. That’s a value increase of 41% and a volume increase of 46% compared to the first seven months of 2025.

 “China has consolidated its position as Norway’s second largest salmon market. The capacity in the Chinese salmon sashimi processing industry continues to increase, enabling further growth in domestic consumption of salmon. As of the first half of the year, Norway’s market share was 61%, up from 57% for the same period last year,” said NSC chief executive Christian Chramer.

Trout

Norway exported 8,432 tonnes of trout worth NOK 692m in July. The value was unchanged but volume fell by 10% compared to July 2025.

Poland had the largest value growth for trout in July, with an increase in export value of NOK 103m, or 221%, compared to the same month last year. Export volume to Poland ended at 1,988 tonnes, which is 182% higher than the same month last year.

Cod

Norway exported 2,189 tonnes of fresh farmed and wild caught cod worth NOK 191m in July, a year-on-year value increase of NOK 48m (34%) and a volume increase of 7%.

For fresh wild cod, export volume fell 47%, to 674 tonnes, while export value fell 34%, to NOK 59m. For fresh farmed cod, export volume increased 96% to 1,514 tonnes, while export value increased 147%, to NOK 132m. Farmed cod accounted for 69% of the export value of fresh cod.

“As expected, farmed cod now dominates the volume of fresh cod outside the fishing season,” said NSC seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan.

“The July export is the first month ever where over two-thirds of the export value of fresh cod comes from farmed cod, and the second month in a row with a record high share of farmed cod in a single month.

“While fresh wild cod has Denmark as its largest market, most of the fresh farmed cod goes to the Netherlands, Poland, and Lithuania. All four markets are characterised by being transit and processing markets for fresh cod, and most of the Norwegian cod is re-exported to other consumer markets such as France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Italy.”

World Cup 

Overall, Norway exported seafood worth NOK 15.6bn in July, an increase of NOK 1.8bn, or 13%, compared to the same period last year.

“July was a strong month for Norwegian seafood exports. Salmon showed both increased export volumes and higher prices. Price increases for cod, mackerel and trout also contributed positively,” said NSC chief executive Christian Chramer.

“A stronger Norwegian krone has put a damper on value growth, but the strong growth for salmon overshadows this effect and ensures that the export value overall increases. In addition, the international attention surrounding Norway in connection with the World Cup helps to maintain interest in several important markets.”