Around one in four seafood consumers surveyed in China’s largest cities eat salmon sashimi at least once a week, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council.
The council points to faster delivery services, specialised sashimi shops and more processing facilities as key drivers. Salmon sashimi, previously consumed mainly in Japanese restaurants, is now increasingly ordered for consumption at home.
China’s total salmon imports grew by approximately 50 percent in 2025. During the first half of 2026, Norwegian salmon exports to China increased by 51 percent in volume and 42 percent in value. China is now Norway’s second-largest salmon market after Poland.
The findings were released ahead of World Seafood Shanghai, held from 26 to 28 August. The Norwegian Seafood Council will host a national pavilion and co-organise the China Global Salmon Industry Summit during the exhibition.
The council is a state-owned marketing organisation financed through a levy on Norwegian seafood exports.
Source: Norwegian Seafood Council
