Norway is now the largest provider of both the EU and Russia. Twenty per cent of seafood imported into the EU is of Norwegian origin. The corresponding figure for Russia is 38 per cent.
Norwegian seafood exports in 2012 totaled 2.3 million tonnes of seafood. This is a decrease of three per cent compared with 2011, but it still makes 2012 one of the best years ever for Norwegian seafood.
"The market situation is challenging, our goal must be to increase exports. Overall, the 2012 is still a good year for Norwegian seafood industry. Despite the financial crisis affects hard in key export markets such as Portugal and Italy, the figures show that Norwegian seafood is one of the last to be cut. People need food, and it is clear that consumers want Norwegian fish," says Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Minister, Lisbeth Berg-Hansen.
A pleasant surprise is that more Norwegians choose fish for dinner. Growth in the Norwegian seafood market has been almost five per cent in value and three per cent in volume.
"People are concerned about eating healthy and serve healthy food for their children. It may be one of the reasons why we see a growth in Norway," says the Minister.
