There was also strong growth in the seafood export to the US the first quarter of the year, according to new numbers presented by the Norwegian Seafood Council yesterday. The US was the largest individual market for Norwegian seafood export, measured in value, for all three months of the quarter.
The export volume of salmon to the US was 22,183 tonnes, 56 percent higher than in the first quarter of last year.
“This is a turbulent period in terms of trade policy, but the industry in Norway and the USA is reporting ‘business as usual’. The seafood industry is global in nature and used to adapting to constantly changing framework conditions,” says Anne-Kristine Øen, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s envoy to the USA.
Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Labor) also comments on the uncertain situation in connection with the new seafood export numbers.
“The USA has grown strongly as a market in the first quarter and is now by far the largest single market for Norwegian seafood in terms of value, ahead of both Poland and Denmark. Despite favorable export figures, we are now entering an uncertain time for world trade with increased tariffs,” says Næss in a press release.
“The government is working actively in favor of Norwegian interests and is in close contact with the industry. Although the industry is adaptable, the situation may be challenging for parts of the Norwegian seafood industry and lead to certain changes in the flow of goods for global seafood trade,” she adds.
A global salmon market
Seafood analyst Paul Aandahl of the Norwegian Seafood Council said in a previous interview with HNN that the implementation of tariffs on seafood going to the US will negatively affect the global salmon market.
“The salmon market is global, and a potential US tariff will lead to a movement in the flow of goods at a global level. That is, the flow of goods will move from the US to other markets. This will allow some nations to benefit while others suffer disadvantages. The effect will depend on what alternatives exporters in the producing countries have and what alternatives American importers have,” he said.