Norway's October Crustacean Exports Diverge: Frozen King Crab Volumes Up but Value Down, Frozen Peeled Coldwater Shrimp Prices Hit Record High

Export data for October 2026 published by the Norwegian Seafood Council show that Norway's crustacean seafood moved in divergent directions across the three product lines of king crab, snow crab and coldwater shrimp: king crab and snow crab export volumes rose overall, while coldwater shrimp volumes contracted, though the latter was offset by record international price levels.

King crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus): In October Norway exported 134 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 72 million (about USD 6.84 million). Export volume rose 24% from the same month last year, but total export value fell by NOK 4 million (about USD 380,000), a year-on-year decline of 6%. The main destination markets in the month were the United States, Germany and Italy.

The volume growth was driven mainly by frozen shipments. Frozen king crab exports totaled 98 tonnes, up 29% year on year; however, lower export prices pushed frozen export value down 1% to NOK 57 million (about USD 5.42 million). The US market absorbed 76% of total frozen exports.

Norwegian Seafood Council market analyst Lars Olai Rorgemoen said the ongoing red king crab fishery in Alaska has increased the supply of frozen king crab in the US market; at the same time, Norwegian product faces a stronger krone and a 12.5% import tariff, factors that left export prices to the US 16% lower than in October last year.

Live king crab exports totaled 33 tonnes, 1 tonne more than in the same month of the previous season. The average price of live crab was NOK 430 per kg (about USD 40.85), and export value for this category fell 21% to NOK 14 million (about USD 1.33 million). In addition, both frozen and live products were shipped to European markets ahead of the Christmas season.

Snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio): In October Norway exported 78 tonnes of snow crab worth NOK 13 million (about USD 1.24 million), with export volume up 28% year on year and export value up 12% (an increase of NOK 1 million, about USD 95,000). The main destinations were the United States, Canada and Vietnam.

The United States was the largest buyer in October and year to date, accounting for 63% (49 tonnes) of shipments in the month. Meanwhile, the average price of frozen snow crab fell 13% to NOK 170 per kg (about USD 16.15). Norway's domestic fishery for this species remains under a precautionary closure until 1 December, a regulatory factor that continues to limit the supply available for export.

Coldwater shrimp (Pandalus borealis): International shipments of coldwater shrimp totaled 2,345 tonnes worth NOK 166 million (about USD 15.77 million), with export volume contracting 11% and export value rising 5% (an increase of NOK 8 million, about USD 760,000). By export volume, the three largest buyer markets were China, Iceland and Denmark.

Rorgemoen noted that the export trend was shaped by a combination of generally tight supply and rising prices, against a backdrop of the seasonal closure in the Barents Sea and low landings throughout the year.

By product line: sales of frozen raw coldwater shrimp rose 31% to 1,417 tonnes, accounting for 60% of total shrimp exports. About half went to processing in Iceland, with prices rising sharply to about NOK 37 per kg (about USD 3.52); China bought 472 tonnes for direct consumption, with the price down 7% to NOK 72 per kg (about USD 6.84).

Frozen peeled coldwater shrimp recorded the largest percentage decline of the month, with export volume down 55% to 382 tonnes, led by Sweden with 128 tonnes. Despite the volume decline, the average price for this category reached NOK 140 per kg (about USD 13.30), a record monthly high for this product form.

Exports of frozen cooked coldwater shrimp in shell fell 18% to 493 tonnes, but export value rose 2%, supported by an average price of close to NOK 73 per kg (about USD 6.94), up 39% year on year. Chinese demand dominated, absorbing 85% of shipments in this category.