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Norway's Seafood Sector Joins 'All of Norway Exports' Initiative, Aiming for 50% Growth by 2030

NORWAY
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The inclusion of the seafood industry in the Norwegian government's "All of Norway Exports" initiative in October 2024 was widely welcomed, rectifying an initial oversight and recognizing the sector's critical role in the national economy.

While initially excluded, the seafood industry, Norway's largest export sector after oil and gas, has now become the sixth focus area, joining offshore wind, green maritime, health, manufacturing and design, and tourism.

Addressing the Initial Exclusion

The initial exclusion might be attributed to the seafood industry's established export framework through the Norwegian Seafood Council. This may have led to a focus on developing export instruments for other sectors.

However, the exclusion had unintended consequences. Despite modest funding allocations for most sectors, the absence of seafood from the prioritized list resulted in lower prioritization at some Norwegian embassies, even in markets where seafood is a primary export.

Seafood Council's Active Involvement

"The Seafood Council, alongside industry partners, advocated for the inclusion of seafood in the 'All of Norway Exports' initiative. We were pleased with the Ministers' announcement," stated Christian Chramer, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

"Given our mandate to enhance the value of Norwegian seafood, we joined the working group to ensure that new measures for the seafood supplier industry align with our existing activities," Chramer explained.

Prioritizing Market Access

Crucially, the initiative aims to strengthen market access for seafood through increased focus at embassies, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, ministries, and political leadership. This involves both resource allocation and heightened attention, considered a key driver for the sector.

The Seafood Council, with its presence in 15 countries and market investments in 27, focuses on key markets identified in collaboration with the industry. These markets share a commonality: seafood is Norway's largest non-oil and gas export.

Elevating Seafood's Diplomatic Priority

The initiative seeks to ensure seafood receives top industry priority at embassies and during state visits, aligning with the "All of Norway Exports" focus on strategic sectors.

Norway's seafood industry, including its advanced fisheries and aquaculture supplier segment, has experienced significant growth over the past 30 years. This supplier industry, encompassing companies like Akva Group, Scale IQ, Skretting, Åkerblå, and Stingray, is pivotal in technological advancement and sustainable aquaculture development.

Targeted Measures for Supplier Industry Growth

The supplier industry, lacking a dedicated Seafood Council, will benefit from targeted measures within the "All of Norway Exports" framework to facilitate increased exports. The working group is actively seeking industry input to define these measures.

In addition to heightened diplomatic focus, collaboration with the supplier industry is essential to develop targeted strategies. The overarching goal is to achieve a 50% increase in seafood industry exports by 2030.

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