Norway’s total seafood export value increased in March, buoyed by increased salmon volumes and high prices for several species.
According to data collected by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Norway exported NOK 15.5 billion (USD 1.619 billion, EUR 1.386 billion) worth of seafood in March, an increase of 3 percent, of NOK 522 million (USD 54.5 million, EUR 46.7 million), compared to the same month last year. The increase reversed a negative trend after its export value decreased in both January and February.
“Norwegian seafood exports performed well in March, despite the war in the Middle East, a stronger Norwegian krone, and a continued decline in exports to the U.S.,” NSC CEO Christian Chramer said in a release.
Export statistics showed increased exports to Asian markets are helping to offset a decline in exports to the U.S., which began in the latter half of 2025 after initially experiencing strong growth in the first half of the year.
According to the NSC, the U.S. represented just 9 percent of Norway’s seafood export value in March 2026, a decline of 4 percent compared to the same period of 2025. The country’s exports to Asia increased by 5 percentage points, reaching 23 percent of Norway’s total seafood export value for the month of March.
“It is the increased exports of salmon to China that account for most of the growth in Asia, but key markets such as South Korea, Thailand, and Taiwan also saw a solid increase in export value in March,” Chramer said.
Norway managed the increase despite supply chain challenges. The war in Iran disrupted trade routes and increased costs for shipping to China, with Chinese importers reporting big spikes in costs.
“The war in the Middle East has been particularly challenging for salmon exporters due to increased fuel costs and changes to air freight routes,” Chramer said. “The fact that export value nevertheless increased in March demonstrates not only how adaptable the salmon industry is but also that there is generally high demand for Norwegian salmon in the Asian market.”
Norway's salmon exports overall hit 106,000 metric tons (MT) in March 2026, an increase of 4 percent over the same period of 2025. Those exports were worth NOK 10.5 billion (USD 1.097 billion, EUR 938.7 million), an increase of NOK 622 million (USD 65.0 million, EUR 55.6 million), or 6 percent.
“At the start of the war, volumes fell particularly sharply, but in the last week of March, exports to countries such as Saudi Arabia and Israel were at a near-normal level,” NSC Seafood Analyst Paul T. Aandahl said in a release.
A decrease in exports to multiple Middle Eastern Countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar were offset by increases to China, Aandahl said. Exports of fresh whole salmon rose by 61 percent by volume, exports to Thailand increased by 37 percent, exports to South Korea increased by 24 percent, and exports to Taiwan increased by 53 percent.
“It is the strong growth in demand for fresh Norwegian salmon that is driving the volume growth. It is worth noting that this growth is occurring despite a rise in prices,” Aandahl said.
Exports for trout, in contrast, fell to 5,100 MT, a drop of 15 percent. Export value for March 2026 also dropped to NOK 512 million (USD 53.5 million, EUR 45.9 million), a decrease of 6 percent compared to March 2025.
Norway's herring exports had a good month in both value and volume terms. The species' export value hit NOK 459 million (USD 47.9 million, EUR 41 million) in March 2026, an increase of 20 percent, or NOK 77 million (USD 8 million, EUR 6.9 million), over March 2025. Volume also increased, rising 39 percent to 27,600 MT.
“The good winter fishing and the quota increase for Norwegian spring-spawning herring (NVG) are now having an impact on exports, with increased volumes and falling prices,” NSC Head of Pelagic Species Jan Eirik Johnsen said.
While prices are falling, they’re still at a historically high level, according to Johnsen.
In contrast with herring’s volume and value increases, mackerel supply issues hampered export value for the species. The mackerel quota in the Northeast Atlantic has been subject to heavy debate, with countries agreeing to a quota much higher than scientific advice, leading to some major retailers stopping all purchasing of mackerel from the region, citing sustainability concerns.
Norway's mackerel exports dropped 45 percent by volume to 7,200 MT and 14 percent by value to NOK 370 million (USD 38.6 million, EUR 33.1 million), according to Johnsen.
South Korea has been the "dominant" market for the species, but Johnsen said there are signs that high prices are causing concern in the marketplace.
Fresh cod exports also dropped by both volume and value.
Norway exported 4,000 MT of fresh cod worth NOK 404 million (USD 42.2 million, EUR 36.1 million) in March 2026, marking drops of 31 percent and 11 percent, respectively. Landings of fresh cod fell by 19 percent in the month compared to the same month of 2025, leading to a decline in exports of fresh wild cod, which totaled just 2,896 MT.
"This is the lowest export volume of fresh wild cod in March since 2009," NSC Seafood Analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan said.
Export volumes of fresh farmed cod also dropped in the month, falling to 1,127 MT, a 41 percent decrease. The drop in supply led to high prices, with fresh whole wild cod exporting for as much as NOK 105 (USD 10.97, EUR 9.39) per kilogram, according to the NSC.
"The price rise is a result of lower quotas and high demand," Brækkan said. "The onshore industry in Norway is competing with fresh markets abroad for raw materials for the production of salted fish, clipfish, and stockfish. With a sharp decline in the supply of fresh cod again this year, competition is fiercer than it has been for a very long time."
Norway's exports of crustaceans were mixed, with declines for king crab but increases for snow crab and prawns.
Norway's king crab exports in March 2026 dropped to 82 MT, a fall of 48 percent compared to March 2025. Export value fell 40 percent, or NOK 35 million (USD 3.7 million, EUR 3.1 million), to NOK 54 million (USD 5.6 million, EUR 4.8 million).
"The decline in king crab exports in March must be seen in the context of lower quotas, a closed season for the fishery, and limited availability of raw material in March," NSC Head of Shellfish Josefine Voraa said.
Snow crab experienced the opposite, with increases in both volume and value. Norway exported 2,200 MT of snow crab worth NOK 403 million (USD 42.1 million, EUR 36.0 million) in March, an increase of 35 percent and 3 percent, respectively.
Voraa said the market seemed to follow a "normalized" pattern compared to 2025, which "was marked by significant tariff uncertainty in the U.S."
Prawn exports also increased in March 2026, rising to 2,000 MT worth NOK 190 million (USD 19.8 million, EUR 17.0 million), an increase of 8 percent and 45 percent, respectively.
"After a weak start to the year, exports of frozen prawns picked up significantly in March, with increased volumes and strong value growth for both frozen cooked shell-on prawns and frozen raw pawns," Voraa said.
