There has been considerable turmoil on seafood markets this summer, according to Norwegian Seafood Council CEO Christian Chramer, and Norway’s seafood exports dropped 2% during August, compared to the same period in 20024.
August’s exports were valued at NoK 14.3 billion– which is N-K 254 million, down on August last year.
‘Changes in customs duties on exports to the US are affecting Norwegian seafood exports and posing challenges for the global seafood trade. In addition, increased competition for both raw materials and customers has made it particularly demanding for many players in the seafood industry,’ Christian Chramer said.
On 7th August this year, the US increased its customs tariff to 15% on seafood from both Norway and the EU.
In August, the value of total seafood exports from Norway to the US market fell by 3% compared with the same month last year. During the same period, the value of salmon exports fell by 15% compared to August last year.
‘Salmon is the dominant species exported from Norway to the US, but Norwegian producers are now experiencing increased competition in the US salmon market. There are different customs tariffs for different countries, and in August, the Norwegian krone strengthened against the dollar compared to the same month last year. This lifted the prices of Norwegian seafood in the US market,’ he stated.
Last month, the US was not the largest single market for Norwegian seafood, as it had been in the first five months of the year.
For fresh whole salmon, the United States is a well-paying niche market, but in August there was a 51% decline in value for this category compared to the same month last year.
According to Karine Rød Haraldsson, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s representative in the US, there has been a lot of attention surrounding Norway’s new 15% tariff. She explained that one effect is that it distorts competition. Canada has no tariffs on seafood imports to the US, while Scottish and Faroese salmon are subject to a 10% tariff.
‘Overall production has increased in salmon-producing countries that have lower tariffs to the US than Norway. Competition has thus increased further as a result. In 2025, there has also been a large increase in demand in Asia, particularly in China. The supply of large fish is limited, and global demand is therefore affecting exports to markets such as the US,’ she commented..
But Christian Chramer said that Norwegian salmon producers are highly adaptable, have many markets to export to and are used to seeking new markets when changes are as significant as they are now.
‘That said, there are complex value chains involved. For others, single companies and smaller species, it can be even more challenging,’ he said.
So far this year, Norway has exported seafood worth NoK 113.1 billion. This is 5% up on the same period last year.
‘2025 has been characterised by low quotas for important species such as cod and mackerel. At the same time, saithe fishing is weaker than last year. This has led to very high prices in domestic sales, which in turn affects the industry in Norway and markets abroad. For parts of the wild fish industry facing increased prices, this is a challenge,’ he commented.
According to the Seafood Council, Poland is the largest market, accounting for 14% of exports, while August also saw export volumes to China reach 9343 tonnes, representing a 114% growth on the same month last year
‘In turbulent times, it is a strength for Norwegian salmon exports that Norway exports salmon to around a hundred countries, and none of the individual markets dominates significantly,’ said seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
