China and Norway have signed a new protocol that will pave the way for a wider range of Norwegian wild-caught seafood to enter the Chinese market, as the two countries deepen agricultural and food trade cooperation.
The agreement, signed on Thursday between China's General Administration of Customs and Norway's Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Fisheries, establishes inspection, quarantine and registration procedures for Norwegian wild aquatic products exported to China.
The framework is expected to accelerate market access for several Norwegian seafood species that have not previously been approved for import into China, including lumpfish, wolffish and sea cucumber.
Marianne Sivertsen Naess, Norway's minister of fisheries and ocean policy, said the agreement marks an important step in expanding bilateral seafood trade.
"China is one of Norway's most important seafood trading partners," the minister said. "The protocol opens new opportunities for Norwegian wild-caught seafood in China and reflects our shared commitment to facilitating trade through close cooperation."
China has become Norway's second-largest seafood export market after the European Union.
According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, Norway exported 158,230 metric tons of seafood to China during the first nine months of 2026, worth 11.69 billion Norwegian kroner ($1.3 billion), up 15 percent in volume and 26 percent in value from a year earlier.
The two countries have maintained long-standing communication and cooperation on market access, inspection and quarantine, and food safety oversight. In recent years, the two sides have continued to make progress in expanding market access for seafood products. In December 2024, live snow crab from Norway was approved for entry into the Chinese market, followed by live brown crab in November 2025. The new framework expands that cooperation by creating a unified regulatory system for a broader range of wild-caught seafood products.
The agreement was signed during Naess' visit to China, where she also attended the Norway-China Seafood Summit in Qingdao, Shandong province, and visited the China Fisheries &Seafood Expo.
"Norway and China share a strong interest in developing our seafood trade through predictable procedures, high food safety standards and constructive cooperation. Continued dialogue between our authorities and engagement with industry stakeholders are essential to strengthening mutual understanding and supporting the further development of our bilateral seafood trade," Naess added.
Sigmund Bjorgo, China director of the Norwegian Seafood Council, said China remains one of the world's most dynamic seafood markets.
"We are confident in the market's long-term growth potential," he said. "We look forward to working closely with our Chinese partners to meet evolving consumer demand and bring a broader range of high-quality Norwegian seafood to Chinese consumers."
wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
