Salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

The market for salted, in brine, dried, or smoked beef in Norway opened the period at a value of 55.9 million USD in 2018. This coincided with the ongoing Salt Partnership, established in 2015, which set a target to reduce the population's salt intake by 15% by 2018 through collaboration with the food industry to lower salt content in processed meats, including salted and smoked products. The market then contracted to 49.5 million USD in 2019 and plummeted to 23.2 million USD in 2020, a decline that may have been exacerbated by broader external economic disruptions.

A recovery began in 2021, with the market value rising to 29.0 million USD as the formal Salt Partnership concluded, though its reduction targets were continued under a new agreement. The market expanded significantly to 45.6 million USD in 2022 and stabilized at that level in 2023. This period was supported by agricultural subsidies directed at livestock production, which made meat more affordable for consumers. In 2023, per capita purchases of salted, smoked, and dried meat actually increased to approximately 7 kg, up 1 kg from 2018, even as overall red meat consumption in Norway declined. The retail sector remained highly concentrated, dominated by three major actors. By 2024, the market value surged to 61.5 million USD, while industry reports continued to highlight the technical difficulty of reducing salt in these products due to its critical role in food safety, preservation, and taste.

Looking ahead to 2025, new EU-derived regulations on nutrition and health claims for foods came into effect, potentially affecting product labeling. Global beef trade increased, driven by high demand from the United States, which could influence import competition. The agricultural agreement for 2025 included provisions for increased imports of beef, affecting market access, while subsidies for livestock production remained in place. The overarching national goal of a 30% reduction in salt intake by 2025 continued to frame the market environment for processed meat products.

Production salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef in Norway

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Norway's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef increased. In 2021, the output was valued at 28,864 thousand US dollars, representing a 25.3% year-over-year growth. Production decreased by 48.2% between 2018 and 2021, which translates to an annualized decline of 19.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 23,032 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 53.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Norway ranked 13th globally in the production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef.

Top producers of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2018-2021

World map of production of salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef, 2018-2021

Following a two-year drop, Norway's production of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef rose. In 2021, 2,153 tonnes were produced, marking a 69.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production fell by 51.8%, equating to an annualized decrease of 21.6%. The minimum output was recorded in 2020 at 1,273 tonnes, with the largest decline of 69.5% also observed that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef from Norway

Exports in kind, kg

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2021, showing a 110-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Norway's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef amounted to 1,539 kilograms, a sharp increase of 1,554.8% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 14 kilograms, with the largest decline of 95.9% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark dominated Norway's export structure in kind, accounting for 75.2% of total flows, while other markets played a smaller role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values varied significantly, with a 62-fold difference between the low in 2019 and the high in 2021. In 2021, Norway's exports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef reached 20.4 thousand US dollars, a steep increase of 778.5% compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 91.6% occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Denmark accounted for 71.6% of Norway's total export value, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021

Imports salted, in brine, dried or smoked beef to Norway

Imports in kind, kg

Norway's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports stood at 8,353 kilograms, up 5.8% from 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 16.2%, equating to an annualized increase of 5.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 6,808 kilograms, with the largest decline of 5.3% occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Italy and Denmark were the leading markets for Norway's imports in kind, together accounting for 85.7% of total flows, while the rest was distributed among other destinations.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Norway's imports of salted, brined, dried, or smoked beef increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 194.6 thousand US dollars, up 12.4% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports rose by 10.5%, equating to an annualized growth of 3.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 150.6 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 14.5% occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2020 at 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Italy, Denmark, and Germany were the three largest markets for Norway's imports in value terms, together accounting for 86.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021