Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council: “The war in the Middle East is particularly affecting the flow of goods for salmon and trout."

Stronger currency and war in Middle East hit Norway's salmonid exports

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The volume of salmonids exported from Norway to the Middle East and parts of Asia in April fell by an average of more than 20% compared to the same month last year, the Norwegian Seafood Council said today.

“The war in the Middle East is particularly affecting the flow of goods for salmon and trout, with higher transport costs, reduced shipping capacity and reduced tourism,” said NSC chief executive Christian Chramer.

Export volumes for salmon and trout fell to key markets such as Japan (-33%), Israel (-36%), Vietnam (-24%), Saudi Arabia (-27%), the United Arab Emirates (-44%) and the Philippines (-66%).

Stronger krone

A strengthening of Norway’s currency also made exporting harder, particularly to the United States. Compared to April last year, the krone has strengthened by 12% against the dollar.

“Uncertainty about future tariff conditions and a weaker dollar contributed to the continued decline in exports to the US in April,” said Chramer.

Overall, Norway exported 104,894 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 9.3 billion in April, 1% more in volume than in the same month last year but with a value drop of NOK 348 million, or 4%.

The average export price for fresh whole salmon was NOK 82.02 per kilo, 1% lower than April last year.

“Increased shipping costs, customs duties and a weaker dollar have contributed to turning more salmon towards the European market in April,” said Paul Aandahl, a seafood analyst at the NSC.

Distribution

The regional distribution for Norwegian salmon exports in April measured in value (changes from April 2025 in brackets) was:

  • Europe: 66% (+3 percentage points)
  • Asia excluding China: 16% (-2 percentage points)
  • China: 10% (+3 percentage points)
  • United States: 7% (-4 percentage points)

Poland, China, and Spain were the largest markets for salmon in April. China was the exception in Asia, and had the largest value growth, with an increase in export value of 30%, to NOK 925 million. The export volume to China ended at 10,430 tonnes, which is 28% higher than the same month last year.

In April, salmon exports to the Middle East as a region fell by 40% to NOK 226 million, the US fell by 39% to NOK 636 million, while exports to the EU increased by 2% in value to NOK 5.5 billion.

“Overall, the currency effect is the main reason for the negative development in salmon exports in April,” said Aandahl.

So far this year, Norway has exported salmon worth NOK 38.7 billion. This is a decrease of NOK 265 million, or 1%, compared with the same period last year. The volume has increased by 7% to 417,000 tonnes.

Trout

Norway exported 5,863 tonnes of trout worth NOK 551 million in April.

The value fell by NOK 4 million, or 1%, compared to April last year, and the volume fell by 7%.

The US, Poland and Ukraine were the largest markets for trout in April.

Poland had the largest value growth in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 27 million, or 57%, compared to the same month last year. Export volume to Poland ended at 898 tonnes, which is 53% higher than the same month last year.

In April, the average export price for fresh whole trout was 14% higher than in the same month last year. The average export price for fresh whole trout in April ended at NOK 89.39 per kilogram, NOK 7.37 higher than salmon.

trout exports middle east norwegian seafood council norway salmon exports news