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Norway's Export Record: $1.8 Billion in September Driven by High Prices and Strong Growth to China

NORWAY
Friday, October 03, 2025, 14:00 (GMT + 9)

Total Export Value Jumped 8% to $1.8 Billion (17.9 Billion NOK); Salmon Drives Growth in China While Tariffs Affect Sales to the US

OSLO — Seafood exports from Norway reached a record value of 17.9 billion Norwegian Kroner (NOK), equivalent to approximately $1.8 billion U.S. dollars (using an approximate average exchange rate of 0.10 USD/NOK for September 2025), in September. This represents an increase of 1.4 billion NOK, or 8%, compared to the same month last year.

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"Seafood exports have had a strong month in terms of value and a solid third quarter. This is primarily due to higher prices for mackerel, cod, saithe, and king crab," stated Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The largest markets for Norwegian exports in September were Poland, China, and the US.

China Leads Growth with Salmon

China experienced the largest growth in value in September, with an increase of 393 million NOK (approximately $39 million U.S. dollars), or 39%, compared to last year.

"The EU is still our largest overall market, but Norway is now taking an increasing share of the growing Chinese market for salmon and prawns. This is gratifying at a time when world trade is experiencing demanding times with increased tariffs and economic turmoil," Chramer noted.

The strong performance in the third quarter confirms this trend. The total exported in the third quarter was 45.9 billion NOK (approximately $4.6 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 1.9 billion NOK (4%) from the previous year. China recorded the highest quarterly value growth, an increase of 1.3 billion NOK, or 54%, compared to the third quarter last year.

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Impact of US Tariffs and Strong King Crab Performance

September was the first full month in which Norway faced a 15% tariff on seafood entering the US market. Despite this, the US bought seafood worth 1.3 billion NOK (approximately $130 million U.S. dollars), a 9% growth in both volume and value.

However, the picture for salmon is more mixed. The value of salmon exports to the US fell by 5% compared to the third quarter last year. "Stronger competition, increased tariffs, and a weaker dollar have affected exports of fresh whole salmon to the US, which have fallen sharply in recent months," Chramer explained.

The value to the US was primarily boosted by king crab, trout, and mackerel.

Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council

Concern Over Quota Cuts

Mackerel was the species with the greatest growth in value in September, with an increase of 500 million NOK compared to the same month last year.

Nevertheless, Chramer expressed concern for the future: "The quota cuts for several of our wild-caught species in 2025, such as cod and mackerel, are being felt throughout the value chain... The battle for raw materials means that parts of the Norwegian seafood industry are experiencing very demanding times."

Year-to-date, Norway has exported seafood totaling 130.8 billion NOK (approximately $13.1 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 5% compared to last year.

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