Record high Norwegian seafood exports in 2021

In 2021, Norway saw a record-breaking year in seafood exports, with a total of 3.1 million tonnes valued at NOK 120.8 billion, an increase in both volume and value compared to the previous year. The industry, which includes salmon, trout, cod, mackerel, herring, and shellfish, experienced significant growth, particularly in the demand for climate-friendly food and increased household consumption. Despite challenges such as market access and increased operating costs, the industry remains optimistic for the future. The Netherlands and Italy were the largest growth markets for salmon, while France and the UK saw significant increases in demand for other species like cod and herring roe. The pelagic category, including mackerel, herring, and capelin, also set a new record. Shellfish exports exceeded NOK 3 billion for the first time, with strong growth in the UK and Asia. King crab and snow crab saw increased demand, particularly in the US. Portugal continued to be a major market for cod clipfish, and saithe clipfish experienced record growth in both export value and volume. Overall, the Norwegian seafood industry had a strong year, despite the challenges of the corona pandemic and Brexit.