Despite tariffs, in August, more than 63% of the total volume of Norwegian snow crab exports went to the United States.
Photo: Adobe stock.
After months of upward trends, the value of Norway's seafood exports fell by 2% year-on-year in August. U.S. tariffs ended up affecting them, adding to the decline in the value of salmon exports as a result of an increase in volume, and the decrease in the volume of fresh wild cod exports due to reduced quotas. However, there are plenty of fish in the sea for Norwegian seafood exports, and other species such as mackerel, herring, king crab, and snow crab have also played their part in this final result, often pushing it upwards.
In the Norwegian Seafood Council's August 2025 report, its CEO, Christian Chramer, said that 2025 has been characterised by low quotas for important species such as cod and mackerel, and this has led to very high prices in domestic sales, which in turn affects the industry in Norway and markets abroad.
Jan Eirik Johnsen, responsible for pelagic species at the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), explained it further. "With a significantly lower quota and a continued tight supply of mackerel globally, it was expected that prices would be pushed upwards. In August, approximately the same amount of mackerel was caught as in the same month last year, with 56,000 tonnes," he said.
Last month, Norway exported 12,093 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 460 million, meaning that the volume fell by 30% while the value increased by NOK 29 million, or 7% year-on-year. According to the NSC, the decline in export volume is related to the fact that fishing started a little later this year. Vietnam, Japan, and the U.S. were the largest markets.
"The high prices have led to some markets sitting on the fence, and more large mackerel over 600 grams have been landed, which fewer markets are demanding," Johnsen added. In August, a record price was set for mackerel weighing less than 600 grams, averaging NOK 37.61 per kg. Compared to the price in the same month last year, this represents a significant increase of 54%.
"We are seeing that price levels are affecting exports at the start of the season, and Japanese buyers have been the most active so far," NSC's responsible for pelagic species continued. "The United States is also an important market for large mackerel weighing over 600 grams, and with increased catches of large mackerel, we are seeing a solid increase in exports to the United States. So far this year, the export volume of large mackerel has grown by 83% to this market."
Regarding herring, Norway exported 14,244 tonnes worth NOK 298 million, meaning that there was a 1% increase in volume, compared with August 2024. The value fell by NOK 9 million, or 3%, with Germany, Poland, and Denmark as the largest markets. Now that the main season for North Sea herring fishing is over, figures show that the same amount has been landed this year as in August last year, 130,000 tons.
However, where there has been a difference compared to last year is in the final destination of these landings, as more of the herring has gone to direct human consumption - 80,000 tonnes so far this year, compared with 66,000 tonnes in the same period of 2024, an increase of 33% -, and less to the production of fishmeal and fish oil.
"The reasons for this lie in less favourable prices for flour and oil. At the same time, the euro has strengthened against the dollar, which is significant as herring for consumption mainly goes to European markets. The fishmeal and fish oil trade, on the other hand, is strongly linked to the dollar," Jan Eirik Johnsen explained.
As with mackerel, the reduction in quotas also affected herring. "With less raw material available, prices have risen, and consumer markets are generally willing to pay more. This has lifted the prices of fillet products, whole herring, and marinated products over time," Johnsen continued.
In the case of fillets, the picture is mixed: while the price of some products continues to rise, others have stagnated and fallen slightly compared to last year. Meanwhile, prices for marinated products continue to rise, and, so far this year, export volumes have almost doubled compared to August last year. This, the NSC report said, comes in the wake of a new customs agreement with the EU.
In August, Norwegian king crab followed the opposite trend seen with salmon. With a 10% decrease in volume, value increased by 16%. Norway exported 195 tons of king crab worth NOK 117 million, NOK 16 million more than in the same month last year. There was higher demand, higher prices, and the United States was the largest destination market, followed by Vietnam and Canada.
In its report, the Norwegian Seafood Council highlighted that over the last ten years, live king crab has dominated exports, especially in August, when demand in Asia is high.
"Following the sanctions against Russian crab in the United States in 2022, Russia has shifted more of its exports towards live crab to Asia and started fishing earlier. This has pushed down prices for live crab in Asia," said Josefine Voraa, head of shellfish at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
At the same time, the absence of Russian crab in the U.S. has created a shortage and increased demand for frozen red king crab from Norway, resulting, as mentioned, in high prices.
"This is reflected in the export figures for August. Exports of live king crab fell by 120 tonnes and are back to levels seen more than ten years ago, while exports of frozen king crab were the strongest in August since 2012 – both in volume and value," Voraa continued.
Thus, compared with the same month last year, the United States had the highest growth in value in August, with an increase in export value of NOK 61 million, or 263%. Meanwhile, the export volume to the U.S. ended at 137 tonnes, which is 155% higher than in August 2024.
As explained in the Norwegian Seafood Council August 2025 report, a new regulation has extended the snow crab season in Norway, with landings continuing until the closed season on 1st July. "This has contributed to a sharp increase in August exports, with 270 tonnes. These are levels we have not seen since the start of snow crab exports ten years ago," explained the head of shellfish at the NSC.
Last month, Norway exported 270 tonnes of snow crab worth NOK 53 million, which represents a 446% increase in volume, while the value increased by NOK 46 million, or 706%, compared with August 2024.
As in the case of king crab, the United States was also the main destination for Norwegian snow crab exports in August, followed in this case by Japan, but again with Canada closing the top three.
Furthermore, compared to last year, when 49 tons were exported at an average price of NOK 133/kg, this year, the average price of snow crab was NOK 196/kg. "This is a clear indication of increased demand," Voraa emphasised.
As mentioned, the U.S. was the largest market for Norwegian snow crab in August, and also recorded the highest growth in value, with an increase in export value of NOK 29 million. Not only that, but in terms of volume, and despite the increase in the U.S. tariffs, more than 63% of the volume went to the United States.
