Record-strong seafood exports this summer

"July was a strong month for Norwegian seafood exports. Salmon drove both increased export volumes and higher prices. Rising prices for cod, mackerel and trout also made a positive contribution."

That is according to Chief Executive Christian Chramer of the Norwegian Seafood Council, who this week presented the figures for Norwegian seafood exports for last month. 

In July, Norway exported seafood worth NOK 15.6 billion, an increase of 13 per cent compared with the same period last year.

Strong growth for salmon

"A stronger Norwegian krone has put a damper on value growth, but the strong growth in salmon sales overshadows this effect and ensures that the total export value is rising," Chramer continues.

"In addition, the international attention on Norway in connection with the FIFA World Cup is helping to maintain interest in several key markets."

According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, July 2026 was the strongest July on record for salmon exports, both in terms of value and volume.

Both strong demand and favourable production conditions are being reported. 

"Favourable production conditions and an increase in the average size of the salmon have led to record-high export volumes of salmon this summer. Despite the growth in volume, prices were higher than in the same month last year," says seafood analyst Paul Aandahl at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Norway exported salmon worth NOK 11.6 billion in July. The value increased by 16 per cent compared with the same month last year. Volume growth was 10 per cent.

Tariffs have an impact

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

In the same month last year, the US was Norway’s second-largest salmon market, and Aandahl notes that the tariffs to the US are affecting salmon exports. 

"Although exports to the US rose by 2 per cent in value, the other major salmon markets are growing much more rapidly."

In July this year, the US market has fallen to fifth place.

"This should be seen in the context of the tariffs imposed on imports of Norwegian seafood," says Aandahl.

Increased exports to China

At the same time, the Seafood Council reports that there is still strong demand for Norwegian salmon in China, which now appears to have consolidated its position as Norway’s second-largest salmon market.

So far this year, Norway has exported 75,800 tonnes of salmon to China worth NOK 5.6 billion. This represents a 41 per cent increase in value and a 46 per cent increase in volume.

For the month of July, the increase in value was 37 per cent, while the increase in volume was 27 per cent. 

"Never before has Norway exported such a volume to China in a single month. Export prices to China rose by 8 per cent in July compared with the same month last year. This made China the fastest-growing market for Norwegian salmon in July," says Aandahl.