Norway cuts market fees for pelagics and conventional seafood

Norway's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries has announced a reduction in market fees for pelagic species and conventional seafood products, in bid to reduce pressure on the country's fisheries sector.

From 1 June 2026, the fee for what the Norwegian government calls "conventional" products - such as salted fish, clipfish and stockfish - will fall from 0.75% to 0.4%, while the rate for pelagic species, including herring, mackerel, capelin, blue whiting and sturgeon, will be reduced from 0.5% to 0.3%.

The decision follows a request from Seafood Norway and a subsequent consultation process held over the winter. The other three product categories, salmon and trout, whitefish, and shrimp and shellfish, are not included in the changes.

“The reduction gives the industry a long-awaited breathing space in a demanding time with lower quotas and increased raw material prices," said Minister of Fisheries and the Oceans Marianne Sivertsen Næss, in a government news release.

The Minister also noted the market fee cuts would mean a "reduction in the Seafood Council's efforts for these two sectors". The market fee is applied to seafood exports based on their value, and is used to finance the entireity of the council’s activities, including marketing and market insight to boost demand for Norwegian seafood. Reductions in the fee will thus mean lower revenue for the Council once the changes come into force.

However, Sivertsen Næss said she was "confident" the organisation could adapt, stating: "The consultation shows that the industry believes the Seafood Council is doing important work for Norwegian seafood. I have great confidence in the Seafood Council and their ability to prioritize efforts where they will have the greatest effect going forward."

The ministry noted that the market fee is reviewed regularly and may be adjusted depending on market conditions, industry needs and the wider geopolitical context.

"If the industry experiences that the Seafood Council's level of activity is too low, this will be reassessed," Naess said.

The Norwegian Seafood Council CEO Christian Chramer said in a separate statement that the lower tax revenues will mean "lower efforts from the Seafood Council in these areas," but added, "We will handle this to the best of our ability, in close dialogue and together with the industry."

The Council outlined the impact of the measures on its full-year budget, based on 2026 figures, marking a reduction from NOK 659 million to NOK 602 million, and noted that while the budget cut will come into force in 2026, the full full-year effect will not be felt until 2027.

Specifically, the market fee revenues for conventional products will drop from NOK 75 million to NOK 40 million, and for pelagic species, the revenues will reduce from NOK 55 to 33 million, the Council confirmed.

"We will seek to use the resources where they have the greatest effect, and shield the most important focus areas as far as possible. At the same time, we must be open about the fact that lower tax revenues can also lead to downscaling or discontinuation of certain activities," said Chramer.