China became Norway’s largest salmon market for one week in February, as shipments ahead of Lunar New Year pushed it past Poland. More than 4,000 tonnes of Norwegian salmon were sent to China in week 6, the highest weekly volume yet recorded for the Chinese market.
The strong demand continued through the month. Norway exported 11,512 tonnes of salmon to China in February, up 126 percent from the same month last year, while China delivered the highest value growth of any salmon market that month. The Norwegian Seafood Council said the holiday season, better distribution and stronger home delivery helped drive the rise.
The surge follows a broader rise in Norwegian salmon sales in China. In January, the export value of salmon to China passed NOK 1 billion for a single month for the first time, making China Norway’s second largest salmon market that month after Poland.
China has become one of the most important growth markets for Norwegian seafood. In 2024, the Chinese salmon market totalled 129,000 tonnes, with Norway holding a 45 percent market share. The Norwegian Seafood Council says salmon is by far Norway’s biggest seafood export to China, helped by growing e-commerce, wider retail access and rising seafood consumption.
