(VAN) ‘Vietnam is a potential market that we plan to focus on expanding in the coming time,’ said Åshild Nakken, NSC Director for Southeast Asia.
According to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), in 2024, Norway exported 2.8 million tons of seafood worth 16.5 billion USD. Among these, Vietnam emerged as one of its significant export markets, with over 72,000 tons of Norwegian seafood valued at 252 million USD, marking a 20% increase in value and a 16% rise in volume compared to 2023.
For salmon exclusively, Norway exported over 24,000 tons to Vietnam in 2024, making Vietnam the largest consumer of Norwegian salmon in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam ranks fifth among the fastest-growing global markets for Norwegian seafood, with a 20% increase in total value, following China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands.
Ms. Hilde Solbakken, Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam (left) talks with Åshild Nakken, Director of Southeast Asia of the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) at the NSC booth at the Food & Hospitality Exhibition, Hanoi. Photo: HT.
Åshild Nakken, NSC Director for Southeast Asia, stated: “The impressive growth in Norwegian seafood exports to Vietnam highlights the vibrant development of Vietnam’s culinary sector and the increasing demand for premium seafood products that are sourced sustainably.”
“Norway boasts a variety of seafood that is sustainably harvested in clean and clear waters. Vietnam is a dynamic market, and we aim to further promote exports of Norwegian salmon and other crustaceans to Vietnam,” Nakken added.
NSC’s booth introducing Norwegian salmon attracted the attention of many Vietnamese consumers. Photo: HT.
In recent years, NSC has fostered the growth of Norwegian seafood in the Vietnamese market through strategic partnerships, marketing initiatives, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
In 2024, NSC signed several cooperation agreements with local enterprises to expand the supply of premium Norwegian seafood in Vietnam’s retail channels and food service sectors.
From March 18 to 20, 2025, NSC will participate in the Food & Hospitality Exhibition at the I.C.E International Exhibition Center in Hanoi (91 Tran Hung Dao, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi), providing an opportunity to connect Norwegian seafood producers with Vietnamese businesses.
In 2024, Norway exported more than 24,000 tons of salmon to Vietnam. Photo: HT.
Ms. Hilde Solbakken, the Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam, stated that the Food & Hospitality Exhibition provides an exceptional opportunity for Norwegian seafood exporters to interact with potential customers. The Vietnamese market has established a strong position for Norwegian seafood, primarily salmon. We have observed a substantial increase in the quantity and quality of Norwegian seafood in this location.
She emphasized that Norway and Vietnam have a longstanding cooperative relationship with respect to the expansion of product distribution in Vietnamese supermarkets. A prime example is Norway’s key role in the development of Vietnam’s first Law on Fisheries. We acknowledge that Vietnam is in the process of expanding marine aquaculture, and Norway has many years of experience in this field. Therefore, we persist in our efforts to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in order to pinpoint areas in which we can contribute our expertise and facilitate the growth of Vietnam’s fisheries sector.
At present, numerous Norwegian enterprises in Vietnam are emphasizing the enhancement of aquaculture value and the development of aquatic supply chains. Simultaneously, numerous Vietnamese enterprises are collaborating to manufacture fish vaccines and furnish equipment. Ambassador Hilde Solbakken underscored that this presents a promising opportunity to further expand the presence of Norwegian seafood enterprises in Vietnam.
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