Last week, 32 tonnes of fresh prawns, valued at NOK 2.7 million (USD 252,800), were traded in Norway, according to Norway’s Raw Fish Association. This represents a considerable leap from the 23 tonnes, worth NOK 2 million (USD 187,300), sold just a week prior. While not headline-grabbing in scale, these numbers reveal the resilience and quiet boom of the cold-water prawn industry.

The bounty of Varanger

Geographically, Varanger led the charge, contributing 19 tonnes of prawns to last week’s total. The small but critical coastal areas of Kvænangen and Ullsfjord followed, landing 5.3 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes, respectively. These remote regions, where the cold waters of the Barents Sea meet Norway’s rugged shoreline, are the backbone of the country’s shrimp trade.

The broader picture is equally striking. So far this year, 1,020 tonnes of prawns have been sold, yielding NOK 93 million (USD 8.71 million). This represents a robust increase from the same period in 2023, when 810 tonnes brought in NOK 75 million (USD 7.02 million). Norway’s shrimp sector is growing both in volume and value, reflecting a trend of steady, incremental gains.