Norway’s seafood shipments to China rose 29 percent in value to NOK 5 billion (USD 550 million, EUR 500 million) and climbed 23 percent in volume to 167,600 metric tons (MT) in 2021.
Yet while shipments have rebounded in tonnage – 2021’s total was down just 0.4 percent in volume compared to 2019 figures – Norway’s seafood exports have yet to recover to pre COVID-19 levels in terms of pricing, with value received down 4 percent.
Whole fresh Norwegian salmon sent to the Chinese market in 2021 showed a strong recovery from 2020, with a total volume of 25,697 MT and an export value of NOK 1.87 billion (EUR 187 million, USD 205 million), an increase of 51 percent in volume and 79 percent in value compared to 2020, according to data provided by the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Other strong-performing species in the Chinese market were Norwegian mackerel and capelin, Andreas Thorud, director of the Norwegian Seafood Council’s office in China, told SeafoodSource.
“I think overall it was a very strong year for Norwegian seafood exports to China, especially given that the pandemic was creating many challenges in logistics and supply chains,” he said. “The long and good relationship between the Norwegian and Chinese seafood industries have clearly been very important to manage the challenges arising from the pandemic.”
The NSC’s will continue marketing cod, mackerel, shellfish, and salmon in 2022, Thorud said. However, the group is still working to penetrate China’s domestic market.
“With regards to exports of Norwegian seafood to the Chinese market for pelagic and whitefish species, the majority is still for processing and re-exports,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Norwegian Seafood Council
