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Photo: Union Forsea Corp
Korean Demand for Norwegian Seafood Soars 46% in September
SOUTH KOREA
Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)
Year-to-date imports of salmon and mackerel hit nearly 65,000 tons, driven by a massive 89% surge in fresh salmon fillets and more competitive pricing in the Korean market.
BUSAN - Korea's seafood imports from Norway surged by an extraordinary 46% year-on-year in September 2025, registering one of the strongest monthly growth rates on record. Data compiled by Union Forsea Corp., a leading seafood platform based in Busan, shows that the total volume reached 4,967 tons for the month, up from 3,392 tons in September 2024.
Cumulatively, imports for the first nine months of 2025 (January–September) totaled 64,946 tons, representing a 27% increase over the same period last year (51,075 tons). This impressive volume solidified Norway's position, accounting for about 9% of Korea's total seafood imports (703,849 tons).
Photo: Union Forsea Corp
Salmon and Mackerel Fuel the Import Boom
The spike in imports was overwhelmingly driven by strong consumer and retail demand for both Atlantic salmon and mackerel. The market is showing a clear shift towards convenience and processing.
Key growth drivers for the January–September period:
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Chilled Atlantic Salmon Fillets (Fresh): Posted the most dramatic growth, nearly doubling year-on-year, surging by 89% (volume: 5,107 tons).
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Frozen Mackerel: Climbed strongly to 31,697 tons, a 35% increase, reflecting sustained demand from Korean processors and retailers.
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Frozen Mackerel Fillets: Experienced a massive jump of 77% (volume: 5,919 tons).
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Chilled Salmon Fillets (Frozen): Increased by 27% (volume: 4,278 tons).
Photo: Union Forsea Corp
In contrast, imports of whole chilled salmon fell by 7% (11,166 tons), indicating a market preference shift toward processed and fillet products that reduce handling time for distributors and consumers.
Value Rises Despite Price Correction
While the volume growth was staggering, the total import value growth was more modest, indicating a price correction that made Norwegian products more attractive to Korean buyers.
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September Value: Import value reached US$47.83 million, up 27% from US$37.59 million in September 2024.
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Cumulative Value: The total import value for the first nine months of 2025 amounted to US$442.88 million, an 11% increase year-on-year.
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Unit Price: The average import unit price declined by 13% year-on-year, falling from US$7.79 per kg to US$6.82 per kg. Union Forsea attributed this drop to increased market supply and pricing adjustments, particularly for salmon products.
Photo: Union Forsea Corp
A Union Forsea representative noted that the outlook remains positive: “The sustained trust in Norwegian seafood and the growing domestic consumption of chilled and frozen products are likely to keep import volumes on an upward trajectory through the second half of the year.” Stable cold-chain logistics are expected to further support the market's continued favor for Norwegian salmon and mackerel through the winter season.
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