The structure of Norwegian seafood trade

The structure of Norwegian seafood trade

2024 | Hans-Martin Straume, Frank Asche, Atle Oglend, Ivar Gaasland, Ingrid K. Pettersen, Geir Sogn-Grundvåg
This paper analyzes the structure of Norwegian seafood trade, focusing on the export sector and the firms involved. Norway is the second-largest seafood exporting country globally, with a significant portion of its seafood production coming from fisheries and aquaculture. The study uses highly disaggregated data from 2016 to 2020 to examine the export patterns of Norwegian seafood, including the number of exporting firms, importers, and the markets they serve. The data reveals that while there are 437 exporting firms, there are 11,024 importers, indicating a large number of buyers. The average firm is quite specialized, serving only 9 markets, but there are also a few large exporters that ship products from all three main sectors in the Norwegian seafood industry. These large exporters account for 39% of the total export value and provide significant synergies between the aquaculture, pelagic, and whitefish sectors. The study also highlights the global reach of Norwegian seafood, with products reaching 172 different countries. The aquaculture sector is the most significant contributor to the export value, making up 72% of the total. The paper also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the seafood trade, noting that while the overall export value was not significantly affected, there was a decline in the number of destination markets and importers in 2020. The study concludes that the Norwegian seafood industry is highly specialized, with a large number of small firms and a few large exporters that play a significant role in the trade. The findings suggest that the industry is resilient and adaptable, with significant potential for growth and development.This paper analyzes the structure of Norwegian seafood trade, focusing on the export sector and the firms involved. Norway is the second-largest seafood exporting country globally, with a significant portion of its seafood production coming from fisheries and aquaculture. The study uses highly disaggregated data from 2016 to 2020 to examine the export patterns of Norwegian seafood, including the number of exporting firms, importers, and the markets they serve. The data reveals that while there are 437 exporting firms, there are 11,024 importers, indicating a large number of buyers. The average firm is quite specialized, serving only 9 markets, but there are also a few large exporters that ship products from all three main sectors in the Norwegian seafood industry. These large exporters account for 39% of the total export value and provide significant synergies between the aquaculture, pelagic, and whitefish sectors. The study also highlights the global reach of Norwegian seafood, with products reaching 172 different countries. The aquaculture sector is the most significant contributor to the export value, making up 72% of the total. The paper also discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the seafood trade, noting that while the overall export value was not significantly affected, there was a decline in the number of destination markets and importers in 2020. The study concludes that the Norwegian seafood industry is highly specialized, with a large number of small firms and a few large exporters that play a significant role in the trade. The findings suggest that the industry is resilient and adaptable, with significant potential for growth and development.
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