Trade flows, tariffs, and sanctions were on the agenda when large parts of the Norwegian white fish industry gathered in London last week.
The first meeting was a joint gathering between the Norwegian Frozen at Sea group and the white fish market group at the Norwegian Seafood Council. A status report was presented by seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan on market development in 2024 and the latest updates for 2025.
This was followed by a briefing on the Seafood Council's market strategies leading up to 2030. This was presented by Frode Mikkelsen from Lerøy Seafood and Stian Hjelle from Ervik Seafood, both members of the white fish market group. The topic has become even more relevant recently due to global political instability and uncertainty regarding how trade flows will be affected by new tariffs and other trade barriers.
The global situation, with the ensuing trade policy unrest, was naturally also a central theme at the 2025 Norway UK Seafood Summit. The seminar, hosted by the Norwegian Seafood Council, gathered around 200 people from the Norwegian and British fishing industries to discuss shared challenges. The United Kingdom is a large and important market for Norwegian seafood, particularly for cod and haddock used in fish and chips. A common challenge is competition from other food products, and a concern that customers may move away from traditional fish & chips in favor of chicken or pizza.
For the Norwegian participants, it was also important to attend The National Fish & Chip Awards, where 15 different categories are contested. The event, which gathered around 600 people, is organized by the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF), with the Norwegian Seafood Council as the main sponsor. The 15 winners are invited each year to a three-day study trip to Norway in June. This year's visit will be held in Sortland in mid-June, where the guests will, among other things, get to experience the trawler Langøy.
The winner of this year's main award, "Fish and Chip Takeaway of the Year," was Yarm Road Fish and Chips in Darlington.
The award was presented by Andrew Crook, president of the NFFF (left), and Norway's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Tore Hattrem (right of Crook). Photo: Odd Kristian Dahle.