Image: Norwegian Seafood Council / FIS
World market situation for Norwegian crabs and cold water prawn
NORWAY
Wednesday, February 08, 2023, 07:00 (GMT + 9)
King crab exports continue to grow in North America

King crab exports by country of destination. Source: Norwegian Seafood Council
Norway exported 157 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 81 million in January
- The value increased by NOK 6 million, or 9 per cent, compared to January last year
- There is a growth in the volume of 23 per cent
- In January, the USA, Hong Kong SAR and Canada were the biggest markets for king crab.
Growth of live king crab in North America
The year has started well for the export of live king crabs to North America, which continues the good growth from 2022. Compared to January last year, the increase to North America is 92 per cent, or NOK 20 million.

On the other hand, exports to South Korea are still challenging and are down by 80 per cent, or NOK 12 million, compared to a weak January last year.
“The US was the biggest growth market this month. There, the increase in export value was NOK 16 million, or 81 per cent, compared to the same month last year. The export volume to the USA ended at 76 tonnes, which is 104 per cent higher than the same month last year”, says Josefine Voraa, Manager for Shellfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Weak development for frozen king crab
The export of frozen king crab showed a weaker development in January, with a decrease in volume of 22 per cent and value of 28 per cent. The most significant decline is in Belgium, Sweden and France.
Increased export volumes for snow crab
- Norway exported 293 tonnes of snow crab to a value of NOK 34 million in January
- The value increased by NOK 34 million compared to January last year
- There is an increase in the volume of 292 tonnes, against 1 tonne last year
- The USA, Japan and Indonesia were the biggest markets for snow crab in January
- The USA was the most significant growth market in January, with an export value of 16 million, compared to nothing last year. The export volume ended at 132 tonnes and accounted for 45 per cent of snow crab exports in January this year.
Frozen, peeled prawns dominate prawn exports

Exports cold water prawn (pandalus borealis) by country of destination. Source: Norwegian Seafood Council
- Norway exported 1,125 tonnes of prawns worth NOK 88 million in January
- The value increased by NOK 19 million, or 27 per cent, compared to January last year
- There is a growth in the volume of 23 per cent
- The UK, Sweden and Finland were the biggest markets for prawns in January
Frozen, peeled prawns had the greatest increase in value this month, with an increase in export value of 11 million, or 20 per cent, compared with the same month last year. Frozen, peeled prawns accounted for 81 per cent of the export value in January and was thus the most significant prawn product.

Source: Norwegian Seafood Council
“The UK continued to be an important growth market for Norwegian prawns and had an increase in export value of NOK 4 million or 24 per cent. The export volume ended at 269 tonnes, 5 per cent higher than the same month last year”, says Josefine Voraa.
An excellent start to prawn fishing in the south, with increased landings, has also contributed positively to the export of prawns in January. There was growth in the export of peeled prawns in brine to Sweden.
Source: Norwegian Seafood Council
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
|