Production Fish – Where Regulations Meet Creativity
Salmon graded as “production fish” are a growing issue in the industry. Norwegian salmon are classified as Superior, Ordinary, or Production based on quality. Production fish—those with imperfections—cannot be exported without first being processed in Norway. This law protects Norway’s premium salmon reputation and keeps jobs local.
In 2018, 5% of salmon were production fish. By 2023, that rose to 15%, with over 36% in some weeks this winter. Danish importers have since accused Norway of protectionism, as Norwegian companies have been found mislabeling production fish to expedite exports. In November, inspections revealed nearly half of compromised fish were exported illegally.
