Norwegian Seafood Exports to Africa Hit Record High

OSLO, Norway (XOL Africa) — Norwegian seafood exports to Africa have reached a record high this year, with export value rising 8% to 1.9 billion Norwegian kroner ($190 million) through July, according to figures released by the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Export volume also increased 7% to about 61,000 metric tons during the first seven months of the year, with Egypt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, South Africa, Nigeria and Morocco accounting for nearly 90% of the total African market.

Egypt recorded the strongest growth among the major markets, with Norwegian seafood exports increasing 13% to 612 million kroner. Exports to Morocco rose 20% to 161 million kroner.

Exports to Nigeria declined 9% to 263 million kroner, while combined exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo fell 2% to 397 million kroner. South Africa also recorded a 2% decline, to 222 million kroner.

Salmon has emerged as the largest Norwegian seafood species by value in the African market, with its export value increasing 30% so far this year and volume rising 25%.

The Norwegian Seafood Council said herring volumes increased 46%, while mackerel exports fell sharply, declining 80% compared with the same period last year.

Exports of traditional dried and salted seafood products presented a mixed picture. The value of Norwegian clipfish exports to Africa fell 3% to 424 million kroner, while volume dropped 18% to 6,777 tons. Africa nevertheless accounted for about 25% of Norway’s total clipfish export volume during the first seven months of the year.

Norwegian exports of dried fish products to Nigeria increased 15% in value to 156 million kroner. Whole dried fish volumes remained stable at 286 tons, while exports of dried fish heads and other byproducts fell 12% to 2,484 tons.

The figures were highlighted in the latest Africa market newsletter from the Norwegian Seafood Council, which also outlined plans to strengthen seafood trade and market engagement across the continent.

The council said its activities include a visit to Nigeria by Norwegian State Secretary Espen Barth Eide, a dried-fish seminar in Nigeria, a market visit to Egypt and a planned seminar in Brazzaville in February 2027.

The latest export figures point to continued growth in demand for Norwegian seafood across several African markets, despite significant declines in some major destinations and product categories.