Leading stakeholders from across the seafood industry gathered last week in London for the 2024 Norway-UK Seafood Summit.
The event, hosted at the Fishmongers’ Hall, featured bilateral updates from the Norwegian Minister for Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Cecilie Myrseth, and the UK Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries, Rt Hon Mark Spencer, on how the two countries are working together, with joint efforts to further strengthen and develop seafood trade and relations.
Organised by the Norwegian Seafood Council, the Summit attracted key stakeholders from the seafood sector and related industries, from fishing fleet exporters and distributers, through to retail, foodservice, analysts and media.
Norway and the UK have a long-standing seafood partnership with close relations across the industry. Among top species exported from Norway to the UK are salmon, cod, haddock, cold water prawns and halibut.
The Summit took a deep dive into a number of topics relevant to the seafood industry, with the consensus that collaboration and transparency are pivotal to securing future growth.
“It is important for me to be here as the UK is one of our most important partners, in many ways, but especially when it comes to seafood.
As with many industries the seafood market has gone through turbulence over recent years, with diets and lifestyles changing due to forces including global unrest, the pandemic, environment and cost of living challenges. Yet seafood is well-aligned to consumer trends; it is the perfect fit for those wanting healthy, sustainable and delicious meal options. To build confidence, inspire and achieve understanding for the value of responsibly sourced seafood and provenance, we believe that working together closely across the value chain is key to driving success,” .” said Norwegian Minister, Cecilie Myrseth.
Norway is the top exporter of seafood to the UK holding with an estimated 20% share of the market. Last year the UK became the largest market for frozen cod exports from Norway, and the third largest market for its total cod exports.
