Norwegian Seafood Council ups activities after Russian import ban

The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) is boosting its marketing activities in other important markets for Norwegian seafood after the Russian import ban.

Earlier this month, Russia announced a ban on seafood, among other products, from the European Union, United States, Australia, Canada and Norway. According to NSC, Russia is one of Norway’s most important seafood markets, the largest one for the two last years.

“Producers, exporters and marketers of a global product such as salmon stay calm when getting such news. The seafood council had the proper tools at the ready when the news about the import ban came. Our country managers all over the world have analyzed what marketing activities will have most effect in the short-term, for instance with which retail chains additional campaigns could be planned,” said Bjørn-Erik Stabell, NSC marketing manager for salmon. “In close dialogue with the exporters, we have planned alternative marketing activities for the year to come, aiming to keep the current global demand for Norwegian salmon at its current high level.”

NSC has decided to put all planned investments in Russia on hold, and move the funds to other markets. In addition, the council had already planned for extra investments this year, and will invest from the industry’s own reserve funds. All together, these extra investments sum up to almost NOK 60 million (USD 9.7 million, EUR 7.3 million), which NSC will invest in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and Norway.

Exporters of Norway trout, that now have lost a very important market, will have to increase the demand for trout in other important markets the year to come. The council will work closely with the industry to create synergies in the marketing of salmon and trout.

In addition to salmon and trout, Russia is also a very important marked for herring. Previously, the council also prepared to invest reserve funds for the pelagic sector. However, the board and the NSC advisory board for pelagic sector decided to await the situation to get an even better understanding of the consequences of the import ban, and will not immediately invest the NOK 15 million (USD 2.4 million, EUR 1.8 million) reserved by the board.

Keep checking SeafoodSource for all the latest news on Russia’s ban on seafood exports