NORWAY – The Norwegian Seafood Council announced that producers and transporters are aiming to keep up the supply of seafood in Norway and abroad amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  

“The Norwegian seafood industry plays a very important role in the food supply chain, not only in Norway, but across the world,” said Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen, minister of fisheries and seafood in Norway. “In these difficult times it is important to keep society going and ensure that everyone has access to healthy and nutritious foods.” 

Norway has classified the industry as critical to societal function meaning that things will keep running as normally as possible. Approximately 95% of Norway’s seafood is exported. While citizens in the country have been told to stay home as much as possible, the seafood and transport industry are exempt from some of the strictest quarantine regulations to ensure the flow of goods across the border. 

Many countries across Europe have shut down borders, but they are not closed to transport goods, as outlined in guidelines issued by the European Commission. For overseas markets, extra air freight routes are being established as passenger flights have been suspended. 

“With a footprint in many countries, we are glad that the Norwegian government recognizes the vital part that the Norwegian seafood industry plays in providing safe, nutritious food to the global market – and also to Americans,” says US Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council Egil Ove Sundheim. “Moving forward, the Norwegian seafood industry remain committed to providing solutions to ensure that Norwegian seafood supply is available during these uncertain times.”  

The seafood council aims to continue providing updates about the industry through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sign up for newsletters from the US market here.