Norway’s seafood exports reached a record NOK 16 billion in August 2026, rising by NOK 1.9 billion, or 14 per cent, compared with the same month last year, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).
The strong performance came despite a significantly stronger Norwegian krone, with higher salmon volumes and prices, along with price increases for cod, mackerel, herring and saithe, supporting export value.
“Despite the Norwegian krone being significantly stronger than in the same month last year, the value of seafood exports in August reached a historic high,” said Christian Chramer, CEO, Norwegian Seafood Council.
Norway’s seafood exports have totalled NOK 115.7 billion so far in 2026, an increase of 2.6 billion kroner, or 2 per cent, year-on-year.
The US market recorded growth in export value for the first time this year, despite Norway facing a 12.5 per cent tariff. Seafood exports to the US reached NOK 1.1 billion in August, up 4 per cent year-on-year, driven primarily by salmon.
Poland remained Norway’s largest seafood export market at NOK 2.23 billion, up 36 per cent, followed by China at NOK 1.4 billion (+34 per cent), the Netherlands at NOK 1.16 billion (+31 per cent), the US at NOK 1.13 billion (+4 per cent), and the UK at NOK 900 million (+16 per cent).
Aquaculture accounted for a record 81.4 per cent of Norway’s seafood export value in August, at NOK 13 billion.
Salmon was the key contributor, with exports reaching 153,602 tonnes worth NOK 12.3 billion, a 19 per cent increase in value and a 7 per cent rise in volume. This marked the highest monthly export value recorded for Norwegian salmon.
In contrast, trout exports fell 13 per cent in value and 28 per cent in volume. Mackerel exports also declined sharply, with value falling 49 per cent and volume 60 per cent year-on-year.
Meanwhile, farmed cod continued to gain share, accounting for 72 per cent of fresh cod export value in August. Prawn exports also increased in value by 32 per cent, despite broadly stable volumes.
