Thailand Rises as Asia's No.2 Consumer of Norwegian Salmon & Rainbow Trout

Thailand has recently emerged as a standout in Asia's seafood market, making remarkable strides in the consumption of Norwegian salmon and rainbow trout. According to data released by the Norwegian Seafood Council and reports from Salmonbusiness, Thailand has surpassed Japan and South Korea to become the second-largest consumer of these two seafood products in Asia, a shift that has drawn widespread attention from the industry.

Surge in Import Volumes

In the first seven months of 2025, Thailand's demand for Norwegian seafood showed significant growth:

• Imports of Norwegian salmon reached 14,511 tons, a 50% year-on-year increase;

• Imports of rainbow trout hit 5,285 tons, up by 15% compared to the same period last year.

This data not only reflects the strong consumption power of the Thai market but also indicates an upgrading trend in local consumers' preference for high-quality seafood.

A Comparison of Asian Market Patterns

• Currently, China is the only country in Asia that imports more Norwegian salmon than Thailand.

• Japan and South Korea, traditional major seafood-consuming countries, showed different performances during the same period: Japan imported 14,810 tons of Norwegian salmon and 1,935 tons of rainbow trout; South Korea imported 18,086 tons of Norwegian salmon, but its imports of rainbow trout were a mere 22 tons—a stark contrast to Thailand's consumption scale of rainbow trout.

The rapid growth in Thailand's consumption of Norwegian salmon and rainbow trout not only reflects the diversification of its domestic dietary structure but also introduces new variables to Norway's seafood export layout in Asia, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of regional seafood trade.