This is not the first time political or sanitary issues have affected the Norwegian-Chinese salmon trade

China Demands Clarification from Norway Over Salmon Lice Finding

CHINA
Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 01:00 (GMT + 9)

The discovery of parasites in Norwegian salmon shipments has prompted a formal request for information from Beijing, threatening a key trade relationship amid surging exports.

BEIJING – Chinese regulators have expressed serious concern and made a formal request to Norwegian authorities after detecting salmon lice in several shipments of Norwegian salmon. The incident, which led to the destruction of approximately 19 tonnes of fish, threatens the reputation of Norway as a key supplier to China's rapidly growing seafood market.

In early July, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) reported that lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) were found in shipments from three prominent Norwegian companies: Holmøy, Eide, and Alsaker. While salmon lice do not pose a threat to human health, their presence on imported fish is a strict violation of Chinese sanitary regulations. The affected consignments, seized at the ports of Shenzhen and Zhengzhou, were immediately destroyed. This incident has triggered a risk assessment of all Norwegian salmon imports into China, a move that could lead to new trade restrictions.

A graph depicting the rapid increase in sea lice in Norway's Production Area 12 in 2024 | Image courtesy of the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research

In response, Chinese authorities have demanded detailed information from Norway regarding lice control methods on farms, the location of aquaculture facilities, and the monitoring of veterinary drug residues. The companies involved have pledged to increase their controls; for example, Holmøy plans to install new fish washing stations and enhance manual checks.

This event comes at a time when Norwegian salmon exports to China have been experiencing explosive growth. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, exports to China surged by 80% in July 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching NOK 763.9 million (around USD 74.2 million). China has become a critical and highly profitable market for Norwegian exporters, with a strong demand for large, high-quality salmon preferred for fresh consumption and sashimi. This demand has even, at times, made China the top buyer of Norwegian salmon by volume on a weekly basis.

Adult female salmon lice with egg strings on wild salmon. Photo: Ketil Skår, Norwegian Veterinary Institute

This is not the first time political or sanitary issues have affected the Norwegian-Chinese salmon trade. A previous six-year diplomatic freeze, which began in 2010, significantly hampered Norwegian seafood exports to China. During that period, Chinese authorities implemented stricter testing, longer quarantine times, and bureaucratic hurdles, causing Norwegian exports to plummet by over 90% and allowing competitors like Scotland and Chile to gain market share. The current situation, though different in origin, underscores the fragility of the trade relationship and the critical importance of complying with China's import standards to maintain market access.

For Norway's seafood industry, which is a vital part of its economy, compliance with these new Chinese requirements is becoming essential. The incident highlights the need for Norwegian exporters to not only ensure the quality of their products but also to proactively address the biosecurity concerns of their largest and fastest-growing markets to avoid future disruptions.

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