Norway exported 13,871 tonnes of herring worth NOK 290 million (€24.8 million) in April, marking a 53% rise in value compared with the same month last year. Export volume increased by 51%. Poland, Belarus and Lithuania were the biggest markets.
Frozen herring fillets dominated exports in April, after three months in which whole frozen herring led shipments. Skinless Norwegian spring-spawning herring fillets accounted for 80% of total fillet exports. Poland was the largest market for the product, followed by Belarus and Lithuania.
Jan Eirik Johnsen, pelagic species manager at the Norwegian Seafood Council, said strong herring fishing last autumn and winter helped lift export volumes.
“With a good price level, a solid export value record for April was set at NOK 290 million,” he said.
North Sea herring season starts
The North Sea herring season started on 29 April. This year’s quota is 80,500 tonnes, down from 115,000 tonnes in 2025.
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea recently advised a 2027 North Sea herring quota of just under 400,000 tonnes. That is 38% higher than the advice for 2026.
Industry welcomes higher quota advice
Johnsen said higher quota recommendations were positive news for the pelagic sector and land-based processors, which have faced pressure from low quotas across several key species.
The Norwegian Seafood Council described April as another strong month for herring exports, supported by solid demand and stable prices.