Norwegian seafood exports

In 2005 Norway served 10 billion meals of Norwegian seafood to the world. Every day, 27 million meals of Norwegian seafood are consumed around the world.

Norway is the second biggest exporter of seafood in the world. Throughout the ages Norwegian seafood has been the most stable, income-generating commodity. The products that are harvested from the sea reach maturity under the best possible natural circumstances. Over centuries the people of Norway have acquired the experience, competency and culture to catch, breed, manage and package fish for markets the world over.

The billionaire club
Norway has some of the richest fishing grounds in the world and 90-95 per cent of all fish and seafood catches are exported. In 2005, the Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture industry exported 228 fish and seafood categories to approximately 150 countries worldwide. A total of 13 countries imported over NOK 1 billion of Norwegian seafood, representing 77 per cent of total exports. Four of these countries are outside the EU.

Unique food traditions with Norwegian fish
In many countries, Norway has contributed to upholding unique food traditions such as clipfish in Portugal and Brazil, mackerel in Japan and herring in Russia. Fully 47 per cent of all seafood for export comes from fish farming.

• Did you know that:
  Norwegian clipfish have a 65 per cent preference rate in Portugal, the most important market for this product.
• 30 per cent of Poles eat herring once a week – most often Norwegian.
  
• In France, Norway’s biggest salmon market, the Norwegian Salmon brand name (Saumon de Norvège) enjoys higher preference than Coca-Cola.
  
• 8,000 tonnes of fresh groundfish fillets valued at NOK 4.5 billion were exported in 2005. This is an increase in volume of 20 per cent and in value of 50 per cent compared to 2004.
  
• The three biggest markets for pelagic fish – Russia, Japan and Ukraine – account for over half of the total export value and continue to show strong growth.