According to the latest export data from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), China's frozen cod imports have seen a significant increase in the 49th week of 2022 (December 5-11), with China importing 836 tons of frozen cod in the latest week. That's more than double the amount exported to the EU, which should help keep prices down ahead of Christmas.

According to NSC data, in US dollar terms, the export price of frozen cod has actually fluctuated around US$5.4/kg for the past two months. In terms of individual markets, it is worth noting that most of the frozen cod was shipped to China in week 49, not European Union.

China bought 836 tons of frozen cod, compared with 342 tons for the EU, accounting for 60% of the total. China bought at an average price of NOK 52.11/kg, below the global average, as it mainly buys smaller sizes.

From 2022 to the present, China’s imports of frozen cod from Norway have increased significantly by 39%, reaching 24,697 tons. In contrast, sales of frozen cod to the EU fell by 18% and the average price remained at a high level of NOK 55.19/kg, actually increasing slightly on a weekly basis.