China imported almost 130,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon and related products during the first eight months of 2026, while Norway’s share of the market declined.
Imports of fresh Atlantic salmon reached around 117,000 tonnes between January and August, while frozen Atlantic salmon added nearly 9,400 tonnes. Including fillets and other salmon products, total imports approached 130,000 tonnes.
China imported around 15,500 tonnes of fresh and frozen Atlantic salmon in August alone, up about 4 per cent from the same month last year.
Norway remains one of China’s major salmon suppliers, but competing producers have gained ground as the Chinese market continues to expand.
The development comes after a strong year for Norwegian salmon exports to China.
ScandAsia reported in July that Norwegian salmon exports to China rose 31 per cent in June, while a new direct Oslo-Shanghai cargo route launched in August to increase seafood transport capacity between the two countries.
For Norwegian seafood exporters, the latest figures point to a growing Chinese market but also increasing competition for market share.
Source: Salmon Business
