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Norwegian Shellfish Exports Shatter Records: King Crab, Snow Crab, and Prawns Drive Unprecedented Growth in First Half of 2025

NORWAY
Tuesday, July 08, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Surging demand, strategic market shifts, and increased quotas fuel a multi-billion dollar bonanza for Norway's valuable crustaceans.

OSLO – Norway's prized shellfish sector has reported an extraordinary performance in the first half of 2025, with exports of king crab, snow crab, and coldwater prawns reaching record values. This boom is attributed to a combination of increased quotas, strategic market shifts, and robust international demand, signaling a highly profitable period for Norwegian seafood.

King Crab: A Royal Resurgence Fuels Record Exports

Norway's king crab exports soared, reaching 972 tonnes with a value of NOK 583 million (approximately $57.7 million USD) in the first half of the year. This marks a remarkable 70% increase in value and a 65% increase in volume compared to the same period last year.

The United States, Hong Kong SAR, and China emerged as the largest markets. Seafood analyst Josefine Voraa explained the surge: "A quota increase of 56% has resulted in significantly higher landings in the quota area, particularly in January and February. After the closed season in March and April, fishing picked up again in June, with higher landings than in the same month last year."

Activity in the unregulated free area also contributed significantly, with 1,279 tonnes of king crab landed in the first half of the year—a 139% increase from 2024. This laid the foundation for a new export record.

Frozen king crab accounted for the majority of this increase, with 496 tonnes exported and a staggering 184% value increase, equivalent to NOK 239 million (approximately $23.7 million USD). Voraa noted that "since the sanctions against Russian crab came into force, the US market has had a deficit of king crab. This has led to high demand and historically high prices across all sizes." The US dominated the frozen king crab market, accounting for 82% of the volume and 85% of the value.

While exports of live king crab increased to 421 tonnes (up from 268 tonnes last year), the average price fell by 17% to NOK 495 per kg (approximately $48.99 USD per kg), resulting in a 5% decline in export value for this category. "The price differences between the markets are due to variations in size, increased Russian supplies in Asia, and sanctions in the USA and Europe," Voraa explained. She added that smaller crabs from the free zone are more competitive in Asia, driving exports to China and Hong Kong at lower prices than those achieved in Western markets.

June saw continued strong performance for king crab, with 202 tonnes exported, valued at NOK 92 million (approximately $9.1 million USD)—an 87% increase in value and a 133% growth in volume compared to June last year.

Snow Crab: Double the Value, Record Highs

Norwegian snow crab exports also hit record levels in the first half of the year, reaching 6,348 tonnes with a value of NOK 1.4 billion (approximately $138.6 million USD). This represents an astonishing 100% increase in value and a 1% growth in volume compared to the first half of 2024.

The USA, Denmark, and Japan were the largest markets. "Snow crab exports were at record levels in the first half of the year, fueled by export prices that were significantly higher than last year, with an average price of NOK 224 per kg (approximately $22.18 USD per kg). This is 99% more than in the first half of 2024," Voraa stated.

Demand was particularly robust in the first quarter, driven by low snow crab stocks in the US before Canada's season began and before the introduction of 10% tariffs on Norwegian crab versus zero tariffs on Canadian crab. North America dominated exports, accounting for 70% of both volume and value, with the USA alone importing 3,834 tonnes valued at NOK 870 million (approximately $86.1 million USD)—its highest level ever. However, Voraa noted that "in June, the share going to Asia increased, driven by lower availability of large crab and a smaller price difference between the US and Asian markets."

June was an exceptionally strong export month for snow crab, with 466 tonnes exported worth NOK 83 million (approximately $8.2 million USD). This marks a staggering 941% increase in value and a 663% increase in volume compared to June last year. Voraa attributed this to "new regulation with vessel quotas [that] led to a longer fishing season in 2025 and landings of snow crab in both May and June compared with nothing in the last two years."

Coldwater Prawns: Ready-to-Eat Products Drive Record Value

Norway's coldwater prawn exports achieved a record high of NOK 964 million (approximately $95.4 million USD) in the first half of 2025. This highest-ever value represents a 28% increase from the same period last year, with a 14% growth in volume to 17,202 tonnes. China and Denmark were the largest overall markets.

Seafood Analyst Josefine Voraa highlighted that "the growth is driven by increased demand for ready-to-eat products such as frozen, peeled prawns and frozen, cooked shell-on prawns." Frozen peeled prawns saw the largest value growth, up 36% to NOK 467 million (approximately $46.2 million USD), with the UK emerging as the largest growth market. Exports to the UK surged by 73%, making it the top single market for this product, fueled by increased demand and lower supplies from Canada and Greenland.

Frozen, cooked shell prawns were the largest product by volume, with 6,588 tonnes exported (+67%), and an increase in value of NOK 99 million (approximately $9.8 million USD). China became the largest recipient country for this product, with 2,500 tonnes, showing a threefold increase from last year. Exports of frozen raw shrimp to China also increased, positioning the country as Norway's largest prawn market in the first half of the year.

June's prawn exports remained robust, with 4,600 tonnes valued at NOK 225 million (approximately $22.3 million USD)—a 38% increase in value and a 23% increase in volume compared to June last year.

The impressive performance across king crab, snow crab, and coldwater prawns firmly establishes Norway's crustacean sector as a powerhouse in the global seafood market, driven by strategic adaptation and strong consumer demand.

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