The catch of Arctic shrimp has sharply decreased, and demand from the Chinese market is pushing up global prices.

The catch volume plummeted, and raw material prices surged in response. Data clearly reveals the severity of the crisis. Christian Nordahl, CEO of one of Norway's largest cold-water shrimp processors, disclosed: "As of August, the total catch in the Barents Sea (including Norwegian and EU vessels) has dropped from 64,000 tons in the same period last year to 51,000 tons." He attributed the disappointing catch to adverse weather, changes in fishing patterns, and operational overlaps caused by the extended snow crab fishing season. The sharp decline in catch volume is directly reflected in the raw material prices paid to fishermen. According to Norwegian fish sales data, the average raw material price has surged from a stable 20-21 Norwegian kroner/kg between May and September 2024 to an average of 35 Norwegian kroner/kg in July this year, a staggering increase. "Prices are rising, both for raw materials and finished products," Nordahl said. "We have significantly increased prices in ...