The Norwegian aquaculture industry is facing intensifying scrutiny as data reveals a surprising surge in the import of fish feed raw materials from Russia, despite widespread geopolitical efforts to decouple from Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine. While many sectors of the Norwegian economy have pivoted away from Russian trade, the feed industry has seen a significant spike in reliance on Russian ingredients, creating a tension between economic pragmatism and ethical positioning.
Central to this controversy are the raw materials used to sustain the world’s largest salmon producers. According to data from Statistics Norway (SSB), imports in the category of fish feed and raw materials for fish feed increased by more than 70 percent last year per E24. This growth comes at a time when the Norwegian government and international bodies have sought to limit financial flows to the Russian state.
The legal loophole facilitating this trade is straightforward: food and fish feed are exempt from the current sanctions regime, making these imports entirely legal under both national and international law per iLaks. However, the reliance on Russian soy protein concentrate and rapeseed oil has become a point of contention for consumers and policymakers alike, prompting major industry players to announce a transition toward new suppliers.
Corporate Transitions: Mowi and Skretting Phase Out Russian Imports
Two of the industry’s most prominent names, Mowi and Skretting, have confirmed their ongoing utilize of Russian raw materials but have signaled an end to the practice. Morten Bertelsen, communications director at Mowi, stated that Mowi Feed has imported rapeseed oil and soy protein concentrate from Russia in accordance with existing regulations, but the company intends to phase out these imports during the second half of this year per iLaks.
The situation at Skretting has been more pronounced. The company increased its purchases of soy protein concentrate from Russia by 25 percent last year per iLaks. In response to growing pressure and upcoming regulatory changes, Skretting’s communications director, Leif Kjetil Skjæveland, has announced that the company is now phasing out all raw materials sourced from both Russia and Belarus while actively seeking alternative suppliers.
These moves follow the lead of other major feed producers, such as BioMar and Cargill, both of which have already completely phased out their trade with Russia per iLaks. The shift reflects a broader trend within the aquaculture supply chain to mitigate reputational risks and ensure long-term stability away from volatile geopolitical zones.
Government Intervention via Customs Duties
The Norwegian government is now stepping in to accelerate the departure of the feed industry from Russian sources. Rather than utilizing sanctions—which are restricted in the food sector—the government is leveraging fiscal policy to develop Russian imports less attractive.
Authorities have announced a planned increase in customs duties of 50 percent, which is expected to seize effect later this year or from the spring of 2026 per E24. This tactical increase in tariffs is designed to erode the profit margins of companies relying on Russian raw materials, effectively forcing a market-driven shift toward non-Russian alternatives.
Impact on Supply Chain Diversification
The transition away from Russian soy and rapeseed oil is not without challenges. The aquaculture industry requires massive quantities of high-protein and high-energy raw materials to maintain salmon growth rates. The sudden pivot of multiple large-scale producers like Mowi and Skretting toward new markets may put temporary pressure on global supplies of alternative proteins and oils.
The Broader Context of Norway-Russia Trade
The surge in fish feed imports stands in stark contrast to the overall trajectory of trade between Oslo and Moscow. Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Norway has largely mirrored European Union sanctions, leading to a precipitous drop in general trade.
In 2021, Norway’s total imports of Russian goods were valued at 21.9 billion NOK, representing approximately 2.6 percent of the country’s total imports per E24. By 2025, this figure had plummeted to 2.8 billion NOK per E24. Interestingly, while the overall trend was downward, total imports from Russia actually saw a 16 percent increase last year, driven largely by the aforementioned 70 percent spike in fish feed components per E24.
Norwegian exports to Russia have faced an even steeper decline. After Russia introduced import bans on various Norwegian goods in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea, trade remained constrained. However, the post-2022 era saw exports crash from 3.8 billion NOK in 2021 to just 521 million NOK in 2025 per E24.
| Metric | 2021 Value | 2025 Value | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Norwegian Imports | 21.9 billion NOK | 2.8 billion NOK | Significant Decrease |
| Total Norwegian Exports | 3.8 billion NOK | 521 million NOK | Significant Decrease |
| Fish Feed Raw Materials | N/A | >70% increase (last year) | Sharp Increase |
Why This Matters for Global Consumers
For the global consumer, the composition of fish feed is an increasingly important factor in the “sustainability” profile of Atlantic salmon. As consumers demand greater transparency regarding the origin of feed—particularly concerning deforestation in the Amazon or geopolitical ethics—the industry’s reliance on Russian soy and oil becomes a liability. The move by Mowi and Skretting to phase out these materials is as much a branding necessity as it is a response to government fiscal pressure.
The current situation underscores the complexity of modern supply chains, where “legal” trade can still conflict with “ethical” expectations. The aquaculture industry’s struggle to decouple from Russian raw materials highlights the deep integration of global agricultural commodities, where a single ingredient like soy protein concentrate can link a Norwegian salmon farm to Russian exports.
The next critical milestone will be the implementation of the government’s proposed customs duty increases, scheduled for later this year or spring 2026, which will likely serve as the final catalyst for any remaining firms still sourcing from Russia.
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