2025 IS BEHIND US: WELCOME TO 2026

2025 is behind us: welcome to 2026. By Bjørn-Erik Stabell, Norwegian Seafood Council.

Earlier this month, the Norwegian Seafood Council announced the annual results for 2025. Here are the headline figures that defined Norway’s seafood performance in 2025:

• NOK 181.5 billion in export value
• 2.8 million tonnes exported
• 38 million seafood meals served globally every day
• Exports to 150+ countries
• 60 different species

2025 was a strong year for Norwegian seafood exports to the UK. The UK increased its share of Norwegian seafood exports, ending the year as the seventh-largest market, with the fourth-fastest growth in export value. Salmon remains the main driver of growth, now accounting for 65% of total export value.

It is also encouraging to see the UK increase its share of total whitefish exports, a clear sign of the strong relationship between our two countries and the solid work being done by both Norwegian exporters and UK importers. The UK’s value share of total cod exports from Norway rose from 7.8% in 2024 to 8.7% in 2025 (volume share 9.7%).

However, Norway’s overall whitefish market share in the UK decreased in 2025 due to reduced quotas and lower availability. Based on current knowledge, 2026 will probably be the last year with reduced quotas. From 2027 onwards, we anticipate a modest rise, enabling the market to resume a growth trajectory.

To ensure we can fully benefit from this, 2026 will be a year of hard work: strengthening partnerships, building demand, and preparing the UK market so we are ready to grow again when supply improves.

You can find the latest figures for 2025 here.

The different presentations from the seminar “Sjømatnasjonen Norge” are available in Norwegian here.

Image: Norwegian Seafood Council