From January to May 2026, China grew to become the world's second largest market for Norwegian seafood. While it was 10th in 2020, it has climbed in ranking every year since, reaching 3rd place in 2025.

Salmon is the biggest growth engine for exports to China. From January to May this year, Norway's salmon exports to China reached 52,400 tons, a 55% increase compared to the same period last year, and the export value reached 4.76 billion Norwegian kroner (approximately 80.2108 billion yen), a 48% increase. Norway is currently the largest supplier of Atlantic salmon consumed in China.

Cold-water shrimp is also another growth area. For Norwegian Arctic cold-water shrimp, China is already the largest market, with exports to China in the first quarter of this year reaching 1,320 tons, a 41% increase compared to the same period last year, and the export value exceeding 95 million Norwegian kroner (approximately 1.6 billion yen), an 87% increase.

Behind this trend is a significant increase in the proportion of in-home consumption of sashimi products. According to statistics, in-home consumption already accounts for 60% of total salmon consumption in the Chinese market.

Previously, sashimi consumption in China was primarily limited to restaurants and households in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai. Currently, thanks to highly efficient cold chain delivery and distribution networks, consumers can easily purchase and enjoy salmon at home, and salmon is rapidly penetrating a wider market.

The diversification of retail methods is also an important factor supporting the market's sustained growth. In China, the main sales channels for sashimi products are shifting from traditional supermarkets to live commerce and social e-commerce. Methods where processing plants live-stream their production sites for promotional purposes are also observed.

Although China and Norway are the world's first and second largest seafood exporting countries, respectively, the relationship between the two countries is one of complementarity rather than competition. Victoria Bjoergo, China Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, predicts that due to the resilience of the Chinese market and its enormous consumption potential, China could become Norway's largest export market for seafood within the next few years. (Provided by/CGTN Japanese)