Norway, the northernmost country in Europe, is one of the world’s top importers, with imports worth of US$ 96,7 billion in 2023. Food imports continued to rise, especially for vegetable fats and oils, tree nuts and snack foods. Interestingly, despite stagnant domestic production, food import revenue has grown by around 17% in the past three years. This suggests Norwegians are consuming more imported food, but at potentially lower prices.
Due to its cold climate, with long winters and a short growing season, Norway has a high demand for fresh fruits and vegetables, mainly potatoes, corn, melons and other tropical fruits. Among its biggest suppliers are the EU countries, especially Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States and also South Africa. There’s a growing emphasis on sustainable practices, with emphasis on local, organic produce and responsible fisheries. This aligns well with consumer preferences but the need for imports remains high.
Food Import Trends:
- Looking Eastward: Traditionally, Norway imported heavily from the EU. However, there’s a growing trend of diversification, with imports increasing from Asia and other regions from around the world. The nordic country is also focused on building trade partnerships with more remote countries.
- Consumer Choices Drive Change: Health-conscious Norwegians are driving a rise in imports of organic produce, ethnic foods, and ready-made meals. This is not something new, as the North of Europe has been one of the main promoters of the health food trend, but things continue to progress in this direction.
Tropical Fruits, berries and nuts
Tropical fruits represent a major source of revenue for retailers in the Norwegian market, with some of the top sellers being bananas, melons, kiwi fruit, pineapples, and grapes. Fruits imports had a value of more than US$ 770 million in 2023. Citrus reported a sales value of US$ 114 million and melons reached US$ 44 million.
When it comes to all kinds of nuts, the USA is Norway’s top partner. Norway’s total imports of tree nuts were valued at $32 million of which $18 million originated from the United States. The United States is a leading supplier of both almonds and walnuts of which 90% originated from California.
Other suppliers are Spain, France, and countries from the Black Sea region.
Fish and Seafood
Fish and seafood imports were valued at $483 million last year and were dominated by shrimps & prawns, cod, scallops and Alaska pollock. Imports of shrimps & prawns are up mainly because the prawn industry in Norway has been in an abrupt decline. While smaller shrimps from Thailand and Vietnam are mainly used for sushi, which is growing in popularity, large shrimps from the United States are predominantly used by the high-end restaurants. Norway imports fish and seafood mainly from the United Kingdom, Russia, Denmark, Faroe Islands and Greenland.
Cocoa and Tabaco, Fats and Oils
Norway is a major importer of cocoa and cocoa preparations, such as chocolate, cocoa butter and oil, cocoa powder and beans. The main suppliers for these products are the Netherlands, with a value of US$66.5 million in 2023 and Belgium, with over US$45.8 million.
Other Norvegian imports worth mentioning fat are oils, especially vegetable fats, rapeseed, colza or mustard oil, vegetable waxes, beeswax, fish and marine mammal oil. These are coming from Denmark, Netherlands, Germany.
Specialty foods, snacks, and fast-foods
Norwegian consumers developed over time specific tastes for a number of international brands which can now be found in many Norwegian super-markets. We’re talking about specialty products and snacks, mostly from the USA, in particular sauces & condiments, syrups, beverages, beans. Classic American products like macaroni cheese, raisins, marshmallows, and popcorn are also very popular and imports are constantly growing.
Below you can find information about 3 important food importers and distributors from the Norway. In the BestFoodImporters platform, you will find a lot more details, including data about the contact persons in charge of purchasing.
Three food importers from Norway:
1. Trygve Tønjum Import AS
Address: Minde allé 48, 5068 Bergen
Phone: (+47) 55 20 80 50
Website: www.tonjum.no
2. Asian Food Import
Address: Grensenveien 97C Oslo
Phone: 004722686400
Website: www.asianfood.no/
3. Foodbroker
Address: Holterkollveien 3, Drobak
Phone: 004764937900
Website: www.foodbroker.no/