Poland purchased seafood from Norway worth over NOK 10 billion in the first half of 2026.
By Poland is a major player in the market for importing salmon from Norway and exporting processed fish products to the EU. Over the summer, Poland solidified its position as the largest market for Norwegian salmon; in July, it shared the top spot with China. Polish processed fish products—including salmon—valued at nearly PLN 15 billion reached consumers in the EU, the USA, and other regions in 2025.
Poland has long been a leading importer of Norwegian seafood. Norwegian seafood exports to Poland rose by 32% in the first half of 2026, reaching NOK 10.1 billion (USD 1.03 billion / EUR 900 million). This increase was driven by rising prices.
“In addition to price increases for salmon, cod, mackerel, and trout, we recorded record prices for cod products and frozen herring,” said Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council, as quoted by *High North News*.
It is also worth noting that Poland is a significant player in the European market for processed fish products. Thanks to Polish processors, the value of fish and seafood exports from Poland in 2025 totaled PLN 14.7 billion—a 7% increase over the previous year—according to a report published in June by Pekao S.A. titled “Fish Processing: High Volatility, Good Medium- and Long-Term Prospects.” This led to a “rebound following the previous year’s weaker results. Exports are the most important sales channel for the Polish fish industry. Between 2020 and 2024, foreign sales accounted for approximately 60% of the sector’s total revenue.”
Growth in Polish exports of seafood products. Source: Pekao S.A. report: “Fish processing: High volatility, good medium- and long-term prospects.”
Norway sells, Poland buys
The latest data show that Norway exported 39,991 tonnes (rounded figure) in the 33rd week of 2026. “This is not only 7% more than in the same week the previous year but also the highest volume of salmon exports in history,” emphasized Pål Mugaas Jensen, editor-in-chief of *Fish Farming Expert*, in a statement dated August 20, 2026, citing Akvafakta statistics.
The second-highest salmon sales volume was recorded in the 39th week of 2024, when exports exceeded 39,500 tonnes. In the first 33 weeks of this year, Norway exported 997,000 tonnes of salmon—an increase of 4.6% compared to the same period last year. July’s figures brought Norway’s total seafood exports for the first seven months to approximately NOK 100.1 billion (EUR 9.11 billion), with Polish buyers accounting for a significant share of these sales.
The positive trend in Norwegian seafood exports continues, with Poland playing an active role on the demand side of the market. Although Norway recorded a decline in seafood production during the first half of the year, export revenue momentum remained strong. Norwegian seafood exports to Poland rose to NOK 10.1 billion, while buyers in China increased their imports by 31%, reaching NOK 7.4 billion.
The Dutch market grew by only 6%; importers from the Netherlands purchased Norwegian seafood worth NOK 5.1 billion. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, July 2026 was the best July on record for salmon exports in terms of both value and volume.
Fish production in leading countries, 2024–2026 (first half). Source: Edge by Kontali, RaboResearch 2026, via https://www.fishfarmingexpert.com
The Norwegian Krone and Salmon
In July, Norway exported salmon worth NOK 11.6 billion. This value represents a 16% increase compared to the same month last year, while export volume rose by 10%. The positive trend observed in the first half of the year continued through the summer. A sharp rise in salmon prices during the month offset the impact of the strengthening Norwegian krone.
“A stronger Norwegian krone dampened value growth, but robust salmon sales overshadowed this effect, driving an increase in total export value,” Chramer explained regarding the surge in revenue from Norwegian fish sales. Export revenues remained high thanks to strong prices that compared favorably to earlier market rates.
On August 20, 2026, Pål Mugaas Jensen, Editor-in-Chief of *Fish Farming Expert*, reported—citing Akvafakta—that “the spot price for Norwegian farmed salmon entering the market fell by NOK 2.03 last week (Week 33), dropping to NOK 68.96 per kilogram.”
However, prior to that, the price of salmon from Norwegian fish farms had risen for five consecutive weeks. Despite the decline, the price in mid-August remained 11.23 NOK/kg higher than in Week 33 of 2025. The average spot price this year stands at 77.15 NOK/kg, compared to 77.71 NOK/kg during the same period last year, reports Pål Mugaas Jensen.
Spot price of Norwegian farmed salmon in 2026 (solid line) and 2025 (dashed line). Data source: Akvafakta, https://www.fishfarmingexpert.com/
The price of cod also compensates fish exporters for a stronger Norwegian krone. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, the export price of farmed cod in week 33 was NOK 84.76 per kilogram, an increase of NOK 0.17 compared to the previous week. The price is NOK 13.95/kg lower than the same week in 2025. The average export price of farmed cod this year was NOK 77.60/kg, compared to NOK 67.29/kg in the same period last year.
According to Akvafakta, “Norway exported 219 tonnes (approximate weight) of farmed cod in week 33, down 38% from the previous week and down by almost half in two weeks.” So far this year, 9,808 tonnes (approximate weight) of farmed cod have been exported, which is 6% more than in the same period a year earlier, according to Norway’s foreign trade statistics.
Favorable production conditions were created in Norway in the summer. There was more salmon, it was also bigger. – Favorable production conditions and the growth of medium-sized salmon led to record high salmon export volumes this summer. Despite the increase in volume, prices were higher than in the same month last year – explains Paul Aandahl, seafood analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council, explaining the market successes of the Norwegians.
Poland and China are saving the market
Poland and China compensated for the decline in demand for fish from Norway on the American market. Last July, the United States was Norway’s second-largest salmon market. Customs duties imposed on the US in 2026 have slowed down salmon imports. Less salmon was loaded into containers in Norway for export to the US. Sales revenues were saved by price increases.
– Although exports to the US increased by 2% in value terms, the other main salmon markets are growing much faster – explains Aandahl in High North News. In July 2026, U.S. imports pushed the U.S. consumer into fifth place among markets importing the Norwegian seafood group.
The August announcement published by the Fisheries and Seafood Council shows that Chinese consumers remain very interested in purchasing Norwegian salmon. Despite price increases, the Chinese market has strengthened its position as the second largest market for salmon produced in Norwegian fish farms.
Until the end of July this year. Norway exported 75,800 tons of salmon worth NOK 5.6 billion to China. This means a 41% increase in value and a 46% increase in deliveries. In July, the increase in value was 37% and in volume 27%.
– Never before has Norway exported so much to China in one month. Export prices to China increased by 8 percent in July compared to the same month last year. This made China the fastest-growing market for Norwegian salmon in July, says Aandahl.
Polish exports of salmon and salmon products. Source: Pekao S.A. report titled “Fish Processing: High Volatility, Good Prospects in the Medium and Long Term.”
Poland processes Norwegian fish
Poland is a leading importer of Norwegian farmed fish products. It is therefore no surprise that Norwegian entities are particularly interested in the “Polfish 2026” trade fair, organized for early September by the Gdańsk International Fair Co.
Seafood producers from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Germany are also interested in the Polish fish production market. Producers from the European Union signaled their interest during meetings of the Baltic Maritime and Space Cluster—held as part of the international I3-4 Blue Growth projects—and at conferences within the Bluedots project framework. These initiatives are funded by the European Commission.
Interest in the Polish fish processing market stems from the fact that Polish “fish and seafood processing remains on a long-term growth trend,” according to a June 2020 report by Pekao S.A. titled “Fish Processing: High Volatility, Good Prospects in the Medium and Long Term.” In 2024, the value of sold production reached PLN 18.4 billion, marking a 1% year-on-year increase and a rise of over 50% compared to just five years earlier. In 2025, Polish exports of fish and seafood rose by 7% year-on-year, driven primarily by strong performance in the export of processed salmon. Export value increased by PLN 980 million, with 84% of this revenue growth stemming from higher sales of salmon processed for human consumption. Demand was fueled by a rapid rise in sales of Polish-produced salmon fillets to foreign retail chains and restaurants. Conversely, importer demand for smoked salmon and salmon-based products declined.
Polish producers are also key suppliers of sardine and herring products. In 2025, exports of sardines and herring from Polish processing plants increased by over PLN 40 million. Products made from cod, saithe, trout, and sea trout are also exported. Throughout 2025, Polish fish and seafood processors strengthened their position in international markets and increased their sales.
In 2025, the largest increase in the value of Polish exports was recorded in the Danish market. Significant growth was also seen in exports to Germany, the largest sales market; German retail chains and restaurants accounted for 44% of the total export value of Polish fish and seafood, according to Trade.gov.pl. In total, fish and seafood products worth nearly PLN 15 billion were exported from Poland to markets in the European Union, the USA, and other countries.
Polish fish and seafood exports in 2024–2025. Source: Pekao S.A. report, “Fish Processing: High Volatility, Good Medium- and Long-Term Prospects.”