From the vast fjords producing over half the world's Atlantic salmon to the mountain pastures where grass-fed lambs graze, Norway’s food industry is a powerful blend of deep-rooted tradition and cutting-edge sustainability that feeds the nation and the world.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Norway's Atlantic salmon production reached 1,546,000 metric tons, representing 52% of the global supply and a 4.2% increase from 2021.
- Norwegian aquaculture produced 1,763,000 tonnes of seafood in 2022, with salmonids comprising 85.6% of total volume.
- In 2023, Norway harvested 54.3 million tonnes of wild-caught fish, primarily cod and herring, valued at NOK 28.5 billion.
- Per capita fish consumption in Norway was 52.6 kg in 2022, highest in Europe.
- Annual milk consumption averaged 114 liters per capita in 2022, down 1.5% from 2021.
- Meat consumption totaled 75 kg per capita in 2022, with poultry at 25 kg leading growth.
- Norway exported seafood worth NOK 151.4 billion in 2022, 85% of production volume.
- Atlantic salmon exports totaled 1,179,000 tonnes valued at NOK 117 billion in 2022.
- EU received 65% of Norway's seafood exports by value in 2022.
- Food industry employed 42,000 people in manufacturing in 2022.
- Aquaculture sector jobs totaled 12,500 full-time equivalents in 2022.
- Agriculture employed 70,000 persons in 2022, 1.3% of workforce.
- Seafood processing jobs numbered 7,200 in northern Norway in 2022., category: Employment
- Norwegian salmon farming achieved 98% survival rate in production, minimizing environmental impact.
- 95% of Norwegian seafood exports certified ASC or MSC in 2022.
Norway’s food industry is dominated by enormous seafood production and exports.
Consumption
- Per capita fish consumption in Norway was 52.6 kg in 2022, highest in Europe.
- Annual milk consumption averaged 114 liters per capita in 2022, down 1.5% from 2021.
- Meat consumption totaled 75 kg per capita in 2022, with poultry at 25 kg leading growth.
- Cheese consumption reached 27 kg per capita in 2022, up 2% year-over-year.
- Bread consumption averaged 50 kg per capita annually in 2022.
- Fruit and vegetable intake was 280 kg per capita in 2022, with apples at 40 kg domestic.
- Soft drink consumption totaled 70 liters per capita in 2022, sugary variants down 10%.
- Beer consumption was 60 liters per capita in 2022, craft segment up 15%.
- Coffee consumption averaged 9.9 kg per capita in 2022, world-leading.
- Chocolate and confectionery intake was 12 kg per capita in 2022.
- Organic food sales reached NOK 4.2 billion in 2022, 5.5% of total grocery market.
- Household food expenditure was NOK 45,000 per capita in 2022, 12% of total spending.
- Out-of-home food consumption grew to 25% of total in 2022, driven by fast casual.
- Salmon consumption domestically was 12 kg per capita in 2022.
- Poultry meat consumption hit 28 kg per capita in 2022, replacing red meat.
- Processed fish products like stockfish consumed 2.5 kg per capita.
- Dairy-free alternatives consumption rose 20% to 5 liters per capita in 2022.
- Canned fish intake was 4 kg per capita annually in 2022.
Consumption Interpretation
Norway's culinary identity remains firmly anchored in the fjord, where per capita fish consumption of 52.6 kg reigns supreme, yet modern tastes are drifting ashore, trading some milk for craft beer, cheese, and coffee while poultry flies ahead of red meat, proving that even a nation built on salmon and stockfish is making room for oat milk and organic kale.
Employment
- Food industry employed 42,000 people in manufacturing in 2022.
- Aquaculture sector jobs totaled 12,500 full-time equivalents in 2022.
- Agriculture employed 70,000 persons in 2022, 1.3% of workforce.
- Fishing industry direct jobs were 8,700 in 2022.
- Food retail employed 90,000 in 2022, supermarkets 70%.
- Dairy industry workforce was 5,500 at Tine in 2022.
- Bakeries and confectioneries employed 15,000 in 2022.
- Meat processing jobs totaled 4,800 in 2022.
- Organic farming employed 2,500 full-time in 2022.
- Food R&D positions grew 10% to 3,000 in 2022.
- Wholesale food distribution jobs were 25,000 in 2022.
- Hospitality food service employed 120,000 in 2022.
- 65% of food industry jobs held by women in 2022.
- Average wage in food manufacturing was NOK 550,000 annually in 2022.
- Youth under 25 comprised 20% of food processing workforce in 2022.
- Aquaculture farms used 90% automation reducing labor needs by 15% in 2022.
Employment Interpretation
Norway's entire food ecosystem, from automated fish farms to bustling hospitality, collectively serves as a foundational but often understated employer, feeding both the nation and the livelihoods of a diverse, predominantly female workforce.
Employment, source url: https://www.nofima.no/en/employment-seafood
- Seafood processing jobs numbered 7,200 in northern Norway in 2022., category: Employment
Employment, source url: https://www.nofima.no/en/employment-seafood Interpretation
Northern Norway’s 7,200 seafood processing jobs in 2022 prove the region’s economy is quite literally hooked on fish.
Exports and Imports
- Norway exported seafood worth NOK 151.4 billion in 2022, 85% of production volume.
- Atlantic salmon exports totaled 1,179,000 tonnes valued at NOK 117 billion in 2022.
- EU received 65% of Norway's seafood exports by value in 2022.
- China imported NOK 20 billion in Norwegian salmon in 2022, up 10%.
- Stockfish exports reached 25,000 tonnes to Nigeria and Portugal in 2022.
- Frozen cod exports to USA valued NOK 3.5 billion in 2022.
- Dairy exports totaled NOK 1.2 billion in 2022, mainly cheese to Sweden.
- Meat exports were NOK 2.8 billion in 2022, lamb to Middle East dominant.
- Processed food exports reached NOK 15 billion in 2022, snacks leading.
- Food imports totaled NOK 85 billion in 2022, 60% fruits and vegetables.
- Grain imports were 2.5 million tonnes in 2022, wheat 70%.
- Soybean imports for feed reached 400,000 tonnes in 2022.
- Tropical fruit imports totaled 200,000 tonnes bananas in 2022.
- Wine imports valued NOK 8 billion in 2022, France 40%.
- Vegetable oil imports were 250,000 tonnes in 2022.
- Seafood imports totaled NOK 12 billion in 2022, shrimp from Asia.
Exports and Imports Interpretation
Norway is feeding the world's appetite with its farmed salmon while shopping the global pantry for its own dinner table, proving that even in the food chain, everyone has a specialty.
Production
- In 2022, Norway's Atlantic salmon production reached 1,546,000 metric tons, representing 52% of the global supply and a 4.2% increase from 2021.
- Norwegian aquaculture produced 1,763,000 tonnes of seafood in 2022, with salmonids comprising 85.6% of total volume.
- In 2023, Norway harvested 54.3 million tonnes of wild-caught fish, primarily cod and herring, valued at NOK 28.5 billion.
- Dairy production in Norway totaled 2.1 million tonnes of milk in 2022, with Tine SA handling 85% of the market.
- Pork production reached 122,000 tonnes carcass weight in 2022, up 2% from previous year due to increased sow productivity.
- Beef production in Norway was 83,000 tonnes in 2022, with 70% from suckler cows in extensive grazing systems.
- Wheat production harvested 262,000 tonnes in 2022, yielding 4,200 kg/ha on average across 62,000 hectares.
- Vegetable production totaled 250,000 tonnes in 2022, led by carrots at 65,000 tonnes and potatoes at 500,000 tonnes separately.
- Norwegian goat milk production was 15,200 tonnes in 2022, supporting 70 cheese varieties under protected designation.
- Trout production in freshwater farms reached 5,600 tonnes in 2022, with rainbow trout dominating at 95%.
- In 2022, clean fish biomass in Norwegian salmon farms averaged 4.5 kg per fish at harvest.
- Arctic char production totaled 120 tonnes in 2022 from land-based facilities, emphasizing premium markets.
- Norwegian sheep meat production was 13,500 tonnes in 2022, with 90% from grass-fed lambs.
- Barley production yielded 620,000 tonnes in 2022 from 150,000 hectares, average yield 4,100 kg/ha.
- Greenhouse vegetable production covered 55 million m² heated area, producing 220,000 tonnes in 2022.
- Norwegian food industry output value was NOK 285 billion in 2022, with seafood processing at 40% share.
- Cheese production reached 85,000 tonnes in 2022, including 25,000 tonnes of brown cheese (brunost).
- Butter production totaled 28,000 tonnes in 2022, with organic variants at 5% growth.
- Yogurt and fermented milk products output was 180,000 tonnes in 2022.
- Bread and bakery production volume was 250,000 tonnes annually in 2022.
Production Interpretation
Norway has masterfully built a vast, wet, blue empire from the sea while tending its rugged, green land with an accountant's precision and a shepherd's care.
Sustainability
- Norwegian salmon farming achieved 98% survival rate in production, minimizing environmental impact.
- 95% of Norwegian seafood exports certified ASC or MSC in 2022.
- Food waste in Norway reduced to 24 kg per capita in 2022, 10% below 2015 levels.
- 18% of agricultural land organic in 2022, targeting 30% by 2030.
- Salmon farming CO2 footprint averaged 2.5 kg per kg fish in 2022.
- Plastic packaging in food industry recycled at 75% rate in 2022.
- Antibiotic use in aquaculture dropped 99% since 1987, to 0.012 kg/tonne in 2022.
- Energy use in food processing down 20% per tonne since 2000, 2022 data.
- 100% of Norwegian dairy farms adhere to animal welfare standards above EU average.
- Freshwater use in salmon smolt production optimized to 200 m³/tonne.
- Nitrogen emissions from aquaculture controlled under 150 kg/tonne biomass in 2022.
- Wind power supplies 40% of salmon processing energy in 2022.
- GMO-free food policy maintained, 0% GM ingredients in retail in 2022.
- Biodiversity on farms protected via 20% set-aside land requirement.
- Seafood by-products valorized at 50% into omega-3 oils in 2022.
Sustainability Interpretation
The Norwegian food industry isn't just serving fish; it's serving a masterclass in balancing productivity with planetary health, from farm to fork.
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