Exports of frozen salmon fillets to the U.S. increased 48% by volume and 40% by value for the year
Measured in metric tons Norway’s total seafood export to U.S is up 7%. Measured in NOK it is up 3 %, despite a difficult COVID-19 environment such as challenging logistics and significant declines in restaurant traffic. Due to increased sales at retail outlets, consumers stocking up on family favorites and trends toward balanced meals, frozen salmon had a sizable increase in 2020.
“This was a unique year due to the pandemic, but the Norwegian seafood industry quickly adapted to meet the changing needs of U.S. consumers and the food industry,” says Anne-Kristine Øen, director of USA at the Norwegian Seafood Council. “While a challenging year is ahead in foodservice, we look forward to supporting our restaurant partners through their recovery and continuing to grow retail sales.”
Overall, Norway exported 2.7 million tons of seafood worth NOK 105.7 billion (approximately US$ 11.3 billion) in 2020. This is the second-highest value ever and equates to 37 million meals featuring Norwegian seafood every day throughout the year or 25,000 meals per minute.
“Norwegian seafood has responded to many of the strongest growth trends in consumer behavior, such as an increased focus on value-based choices related to health and sustainability. This is exciting and good news when we, hopefully very soon, start to put the pandemic behind us. The restaurant market will gradually begin to reopen, and many more consumers have learned to make fish and shellfish at home,” says Renate Larsen, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
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About the Norwegian Seafood Council
The Norwegian Seafood Council works with the Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture industries to develop markets for Norwegian seafood through local market intelligence, market development and reputational risk management. The Seafood Council is headquartered in Tromsø and maintains local representatives in twelve of Norway’s most important international markets. The Norwegian seafood industry finances the activities of the Norwegian Seafood Council via a tariff on all Norwegian seafood exports.
The Norwegian Seafood Council is a public company owned by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
