Norwegian herring and mackerel are globally valued. The market's increasing demand for oily fish stems from their recognition as healthy foods

Norwegian Seafood Exports Soar: Herring and Mackerel See Record Prices and Strong Demand in First Half of 2025

NORWAY
Monday, July 07, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Buoyed by strong international demand and strategic shifts, Norway's pelagic sector defies global uncertainties with impressive value growth

Oslo – Norway's pelagic seafood sector has reported a robust performance in the first half of 2025, with both herring and mackerel exports experiencing significant value growth and record-high prices. Despite a slight dip in herring volume, the overall market situation reflects strong international demand and strategic shifts in product offerings.

Herring: Value Up, Egypt Leads Growth

In the first half of the year, Norway exported 99,546 tonnes of herring, generating an impressive NOK 2 billion (approximately $198 million USD). This represents a 16% increase in value compared to the same period last year, despite a 1% decrease in volume.

Poland, Egypt, and Germany emerged as the largest markets for Norwegian herring. Seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl of the Norwegian Seafood Council highlighted Egypt's exceptional performance, with an export value increase of NOK 114 million (91%), totaling NOK 240 million (approximately $23.76 million USD), and a 69% surge in volume to 16,763 tonnes.

Record prices were observed across key herring products:

• Prepared/preserved herring reached an all-time high of NOK 29 per kg (approximately $2.87 USD per kg), a NOK 4 increase from the previous record set in H1 2024.

• Frozen herring fillets hit a new record of NOK 23 per kg (approximately $2.28 USD per kg), surpassing the H2 2024 record by NOK 1.

Aandahl noted that a fall in fishmeal and fish oil prices has made exporting whole frozen herring more attractive. Exports of frozen whole NVG herring surged by 89% to NOK 388 million (approximately $38.41 million USD), with Egypt accounting for 59% of this market. Similarly, frozen whole North Sea herring exports climbed 40% to NOK 200 million (approximately $19.8 million USD), predominantly to the Netherlands (61% share).

A significant boost also came from marinated herring products. Following a new customs agreement with the EU implemented on January 1st, the volume of these exports skyrocketed by 144% to 9,100 tonnes, with a corresponding 163% increase in value to NOK 269 million (approximately $26.63 million USD). Poland and Sweden are the primary destinations for these products.

June alone saw strong herring figures, with 14,600 tonnes exported, valued at NOK 314 million (approximately $31.09 million USD) – a 60% increase in value and 57% in volume compared to June last year.

Mackerel: Skyrocketing Value and Future Expectations

Norway's mackerel exports also demonstrated remarkable growth, reaching 73,662 tonnes valued at NOK 2.3 billion (approximately $227.7 million USD) in the first half of the year. This marks a substantial 56% increase in value and a 15% growth in volume compared to the first half of 2024.

South Korea and Vietnam were the leading markets for Norwegian mackerel. Paul T. Aandahl attributed the strong price situation to "expectations of a lower supply of mackerel in 2025 and continued high demand."

The price of frozen whole mackerel reached a record high of NOK 30 per kg (approximately $2.97 USD per kg), surpassing the previous record from H2 2024 by NOK 3.

It's important to note that most of Norway's mackerel exports this year have consisted of imported mackerel, as the domestic fishing season typically begins in earnest in July. According to Norges Sildesalgslag, approximately 85% of Norway's ordinary mackerel quota remains to be fished.

In June, Norway exported 4,500 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 150 million (approximately $14.85 million USD), an increase of 15% in value, despite a 16% fall in volume compared to June last year.

The strong performance of both herring and mackerel underscores Norway's adaptive strategy in leveraging market dynamics, product diversification, and new trade agreements to sustain and grow its vital seafood industry.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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