Louis Guaidamos, Ingelill Jacobsen, and Lisa Marie Grøndahl from NSC, Trond Håvard Glomnes Rudi, Council of Ministers at the Norwegian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, and Mounir Achalhi from Sjór participated in this year's Gulfood 2024.
Norwegian seafood Council
Since the trade agreement was implemented between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in 2014, Norwegian seafood exports to the six Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf have tripled from 7,800 tons in 2014 to 23,600 tons in 2023.
In other words, this growth means 475%, from 375 thousand to 2.1 million Norwegian kroner in 2023. Also, the market share of Norwegian salmon in the United Arab Emirates is at 75% and awareness of Norwegian salmon among seafood consumers is over 50%.
Furthermore, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) informed that in Saudi Arabia, the market share is even higher, at 98%, while awareness is 41%.
"Exports of Norwegian seafood to the Gulf states primarily go to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with salmon, mackerel, trout, and king crab being the main exports," explained Ingelill Jacobsen, who is responsible for the Middle East at NSC.
The trade agreement between EFTA and GCC was negotiated in 2008, signed in 2009, and came into effect on July 1, 2014. The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
However, after three consecutive years of growth, the value of Norwegian seafood exports worldwide fell by 14% in March, dragged down by a decline in both the currency effect and the export volume of key species.
Gulfood is the largest agri-food fair in this region, as well as in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania. Targeted exclusively at a professional audience, it attracts a large number of leading international buyers in the food sector.
The 2024 edition took place from February 19th to 23rd at the Dubai World Trade Center and reached a record Participation among Norwegian exporters. A total of 21 Norwegian companies travelled to Dubai.
