China Becomes Norway's Second-Largest Seafood Market as Salmon Exports Reach 98,000 Tons in First 9 Months, Up 42%(Oct 29)

China Becomes Norway's Second-Largest Seafood Market as Salmon Exports Reach 98,000 Tons in First 9 Months, Up 42%

Source: foodmate.net / Seafood Guide

On October 27, the 2026 Norway-China Seafood Summit was held at the St. Regis Hotel in Qingdao, on the eve of the 29th China International Fisheries Expo. Sigmund Bjorgo, China Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), announced that China has risen to become Norway's second-largest seafood export market, up from tenth place in 2020. Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Marianne Sivertsen Naess attended and delivered remarks.

In the first nine months of 2026, Norwegian seafood exports to China reached 158,000 tons, up 15% year-on-year, with export value growing 26%. Salmon was the engine of this growth, with exports to China reaching 98,000 tons, up 42% year-on-year. This follows 112% growth in the same period of 2025, meaning this year's 42% increase was achieved on a high base.

Bjorgo contextualized salmon's rapid growth against the broader domestic consumption landscape: in the first half of 2026, China's GDP grew 4.7%, total retail sales of consumer goods rose 1.3%, and catering revenue increased 2.8%, yet salmon consumption grew 43%, charting an independent counter-trend trajectory.

Beyond salmon, other species showed mixed results. Haddock exports to China reached 11,000 tons, up 37%, and redfish exports totaled 15,000 tons, up 5%. However, mackerel, Greenland halibut, Atlantic cod, and saithe exports declined 76%, 34%, 23%, and 7% respectively.

Per capita consumption reveals further growth potential. NSC data shows China's current per capita salmon consumption is only 150 grams (round equivalent), compared to 900 grams in South Korea. If China's per capita consumption matched South Korea's level, it would imply sixfold growth potential. Over the past five years, China's salmon consumption market has expanded by 282%, making it the world's fastest-growing Atlantic salmon market.

NSC consumer research also shows that Norwegian salmon has established a strong country-of-origin brand advantage in China. Under prompted questioning, 82% of consumers are aware of Norwegian salmon, compared to 65% for Chinese domestic production, 60% for Japan, and 51% for Chile. Among purchase preferences, 50% of consumers listed Norwegian salmon as their first choice.

Supply concerns loom over the rapidly expanding market. NSC Industry Insights Director Kathrine Tveiteras noted that since 2020, China's salmon market capacity has nearly quadrupled, and Norway's actual salmon export volume to China has tripled in just two years. The question is no longer whether China has more salmon demand, but whether global supply can meet it. Current forecasts indicate global salmon supply will grow only 1% in 2027, as the industry transitions from a strong growth phase to one of more limited expansion. A key question for 2027 will be where the limited supply increments flow, with demand-strong China needing to compete with Western markets for constrained supply.

Size preference compounds this tension. Tveiteras noted that the Chinese market prefers larger-sized fish, but future supply of large-spec fish will face greater restrictions, with prices accordingly affected.