Norwegian snow crabs' slow growth in icy waters contributes to its distinctive texture and flavor. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The first batch of Norwegian live snow crabs arrived in China on Thursday, marking a milestone for Norway's seafood exports into the Chinese market.
"We are thrilled to see the successful landing of Norwegian live snow crabs in China," said Sigmund Bjorgo, China director of the Norwegian Seafood Council. "This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening our commitment to bringing more quality seafood to China."
The delivery came after Yu Jianhua, minister of the General Administration of Customs of China, met with Marianne Sivertsen Naess, Norway's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, in Beijing, with Norwegian live snow crab exports being a key topic of discussion.
"We are incredibly proud to see the first shipment of Norwegian live snow crabs reach China successfully," said Svein Ruud, the exporter of the inaugural shipment. "This is not only the first time our product has entered the Chinese market but also a fantastic opportunity to showcase the superior quality of Norwegian snow crabs to a broader audience. We are excited about the future potential of this market."
The first batch of Norwegian live snow crabs arrive in China on Jan 23. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
China is a major consumer of shellfish. According to the latest data from the Norwegian Seafood Council, Norway's shellfish exports to China reached 2,823 tons worth 165 million Norwegian Kroner ($14.6 million) in 2024, up 182 percent and 49 percent respectively from 2023.
"China is a market with great potential and might become one of the top three markets for Norwegian shellfish by 2029. We will continue to work with Chinese partners to delight Chinese consumers with more premium seafood from Norway," said Bjorgo.
Norwegian snow crabs thrive in the northern Barents Sea, where water temperatures range from -1 C to 6 C. Their slow growth contributes to its distinctive texture and flavor.
Over the past decade, Norwegian snow crab catches have increased steadily. Last October, Norway announced it would raise the 2025 Barents Sea snow crab quota by 23.5 percent to 12,725 tons, with 10 percent allocated for live exports.
Naess also indicated that the allocation for live snow crabs may be further increased to meet the growing market demand.
