This is the second consecutive year that Norway's export value has fallen. In 2012, it exported 2.36 million metric tons of seafood, a drop of 78,000 metric tons compared with 2011.
Despite weak economies in key markets, Norway has retained its competitiveness and taken market share, according to the NSEC.
Norway is now the largest seafood provider of both the EU and Russia. About 20 percent of seafood imported into the EU are of Norwegian origin. And for Russia, the figure is 38 percent, said NSEC's CEO Terje E. Martinussen.
The EU is the Norwegian seafood industry's main market area, and 57 per cent of total seafood exports went to EU countries in 2012. Exports to the EU totaled NOK 29.6 billion (€4 billion/$5.3 billion) in 2012, which is NOK 1.3 billion (€176.1 million/$233.1 million) lower than last year due to lower price of cod and salmon, while the volume of salmon exports remained strong.
Russia was the largest single market for Norwegian seafood in 2012, with exports totaling NOK 6 billion (€812.9 million/$1.1 billion). This was the largest growth so far in Russia. France is the second largest single market with an export value of NOK 4.9 billion (€663.9 million/$878.5 million).
Japan had the biggest drop in export value, dropping by NOK 755 million (€102.3 million/$135.4 million) to reach NOK 2.1 billion (€284.5 million/$376.5 million), mainly due to lower exports mackerel.
Aquaculture increases
Increased export volume for both salmon and trout led to a growth of Norwegian aquaculture exports to NOK 600 million (€81.3 million/$107.6 million), to NOK 31.5 billion (€4.3 billion/$5.6 billion) in 2012. Aquaculture accounts for 61 percent of total seafood exports in 2012. The export of salmon was worth NOK 29.6 billion (€4 billion/$5.3 billion), while exports of trout totaled NOK 1.7 billion (€230.3 million/$304.8 million).
Global trends such as sushi and salmon health promises have become popular through aggressive marketing.
Over several years, Norwegian aquaculture has invested in building itself in such markets to develop distribution.
Decline in fisheries
After a record year in 2011 for the traditional Norwegian fisheries sector, 2012 was a year of low prices and reduced volumes. The export value of fishery totaled NOK 20.1 billion (€2.7 billion/$3.6 billion), a decrease of NOK 2.4 billion (€325.2 million/$430.3 million).
Mackerel accounts for NOK 634 million (€85.9 million/$113.7 million) of this decline, due to a fall in prices. Less herring quotas explains a decrease of NOK 183 million (€24.8 million/$32.8 million) for exports of herring. Cod and saithe sold for respectively NOK497 million and NOK485 million. Norway has exported shrimp and shellfish for NOK 800 million (€108.4 million/$143.4 million), which represents a decrease of 10 percent compared to 2011.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn