HCMC – Vietnam’s imports of Norwegian salmon are forecast to rise further thanks to rising household incomes and a shift toward higher-value food consumption.
This outlook is supported by recent data from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) released on March 25. The council said Vietnam imported more Norwegian salmon in the first two months of the year. Fresh salmon imports rose 16% year-on-year, while frozen salmon jumped about 37%.
The growth follows a sharp increase in 2025, when exports of fresh Norwegian salmon to Vietnam reached around 7,900 tons, up 40% from a year earlier. Vietnam was the fastest-growing market for Norwegian salmon in Southeast Asia.
The NSC expects this strong growth to continue through 2026, supported by projected growth in real household spending and a shift toward higher-value food consumption.
According to Vietdata, imported seafood, especially salmon, is becoming more widely consumed among middle-income households. Modern retail chains and specialized imported food stores have improved access to fresh salmon.
Ashild Nakken, the NSC’s regional director for Southeast Asia, said that the council will prioritize expanding cooperation in Vietnam this year.
The NSC, under Norway’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, represents the country’s seafood exporters. It is taking part in Food & Hospitality Vietnam 2026 along with eight leading Norwegian exporters.
Norway has long been Vietnam’s leading salmon supplier due to strong branding, consistent quality, and logistics advantages. However, rising demand is also attracting new suppliers to the market.
