US tariffs would be fishy for Norwegian airfreight

Norwegian salmon exports have experienced significant growth in recent years, with airfreight playing a crucial role in reaching distant markets swiftly. In January 2025 alone, Norway exported over NOK 1 billion / $88.9 million worth of salmon to the United States, marking a new record in value.

So the mood music from the White House is giving Norwegian salmon producers significant concern over potential US tariffs on their exports. Recent market reactions have underscored these apprehensions; for instance, shares of Norwegian salmon companies fell by 3% amid fears that the US might extend a 25% tariff, initially targeting Canadian seafood, to European products as well.

Industry leaders are actively seeking strategies to mitigate the potential effects of such tariffs. One approach under consideration is establishing processing operations within the US. By doing so, companies could argue that their products contribute to American jobs, potentially making them less susceptible to import tariffs. This will actively lead to a fall in the need for airfreight across the North Atlantic.

The Norwegian government is also taking steps to address these concerns. Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg emphasised the importance of preventing trade restrictions and expressed intentions to leverage his international experience to maintain favourable trade relations with the US.

Despite these efforts, uncertainty remains high. The possibility of tariffs has led companies like First Seafood to closely monitor the situation, acknowledging that such trade barriers could complicate their export plans, especially for facilities in the early stages of production.

Current state of Norwegian salmon airfreight

Airfreight is essential for transporting fresh Norwegian salmon to markets worldwide, especially those requiring rapid delivery to maintain product freshness. Oslo Gardermoen Airport serves as a central hub for these operations, with numerous cargo airlines facilitating the swift movement of salmon to destinations such as the US, Asia and Europe.