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) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
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