After several years of exclusion, the Chinese authorities have opened up imports of Norwegian fishmeal products. “It is very positive that the Chinese authorities have now opened up imports of Norwegian fishmeal, fish oil and krill products for feed purposes. China is a large and important market, and for the Norwegian manufacturers and exporters there has long been a desire to gain access to this market,” said Kyrre Dale, industry manager at Seafood Norway.

Like the rest of society, the seafood industry is now in a very demanding situation as a result of the coronavirus, and the opening of the Chinese market is positive news during a period of uncertainty and dramatic changes.

After several years of work, in May 2019, China and Norway agreed on a protocol that allows imports of Norwegian fishmeal, fish oil and krill products to China. In the summer of 2019, Chinese authorities conducted inspections of the Food Safety Authority's procedures and rules. Several Norwegian production companies were visited and inspected, as well as obtained data packages from all who were registered as potential exporters of fishmeal, fish oil and krill products from Norway to China.

"Both the Chinese and Norwegian authorities deserve praise for the considerable effort put into establishing necessary agreements to enable them to trade fishmeal, fish oil and krill products for feed purposes," said Dale.

There are now 27 Norwegian companies that have been granted access to export fishmeal, fish oil and krill products to China.