'Vietnam's products are interesting to Norwegian consumers'

Norway has a long history of fisheries and aquaculture and has become the second largest exporter of seafood globally. As the world’s second-largest exporter of seafood with a coastline length of 101,000 kilometres, Norway provides 37 million daily meals of seafood to 150 countries across the globe. Responsible management of marine resources is at the very core of the Norwegian seafood industry. The seafood nation has gone from free fishing to strict regulation by learning from the past and setting the standard on sustainable ocean management.  

The seafood export promotion by Norwegian embassies around the world is organized by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC). Mr. Asbjorn Warvik Rortveit is the regional director for SEA, located in Bangkok.

Can you share with us what NSC, and the Norway’s Ambassy to Vietnam have done to promote trade activities between Vietnam and Norway particularly regarding seafood products? Do you have any personal stories to share with us about Vietnamese seafood?

Mr. Asbjorn: Vietnam is a growing market for Norwegian Salmon, Mackerel (Saba) and Live Red King Crab. It is very exciting to follow the development, and we have high expectations for growth, going forward.

How do you see the potential, quality, and competitiveness of Vietnamese seafood? Are Norwegian consumers interested in Vietnamese aquatic products, and what are they?

Asbjorn: The development of seafood trade between our nations increasing, and I believe that Vietnam has many relevant products that are interesting to Norwegian consumers. I believe that your variety of shellfish, and especially all kind of shrimps have the potential to grow. The warm water shrimp is very different from our cold water prawns, and would be very welcomed as an extension of the seafood category, in the same way as salmon is to you.

Norwegian fresh salmons have become well-known worldwide including Vietnam, for their premium quality. Did Norway encounter any difficulties while finding ways to export this product to the international market which you think can be useful for Vietnamese seafood products? How did Norway overcome those challenges?

Asbjorn: Norway has focused on nature, craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability in our development of fisheries and aquaculture industry, which has been very important when promoting our seafood on export markets. The Norwegian Model is so successful that Norway now manages some of the largest cod and herring stocks in the world, with other species also thriving in the waters.

Norway has been the flag bearer on sustainability for decades, inspiring others to put laws in place to protect fish stocks and exporting their fisheries management expertise to underdeveloped fishing nations, looking to build – and maintain – thriving and sustainable stocks.

The establishment of the Norwegian Seafood Council in 1991, has been one of our main keys for success. The NSC has developed a Seafood from Norway” trademark which we have promoted globally, ensuring customers of Norwegian origin and the values that come with it.

Do you have any recommendations on promoting the export of Vietnamese seafood to the Nordic market and Norway?

Asbjorn: Vietnam could consider establishing a marketing organization financed either by the government, or the industry itself (like in Norway), who can work on behalf of all producers big and small.