Strong underlying demand and a transforming salmon industry

Across presentations and data briefings, one message was consistent: the world’s appetite for salmon is not slowing down. Demand has grown steadily for two decades, supported by consumers shifting toward healthy, high‑protein seafood options. Production region export values for salmon have increased by around 12 % per year over the last twenty years, demonstrating sustained global momentum.

Continued market diversification

Despite market maturity in Europe and North America, salmon still has significant headroom globally. In the first half of 2025, global Atlantic salmon production reached 1.4 million tonnes, a 13.6 % increase from 2024 levels, showing the industry’s ability to rebound and scale despite biological and regulatory pressures. With a maturity in Europe and North America, the analysists agreed on an expected continued market diversification, with strong demand growth in Asian markets. China is expected to continue a strong increase.

Another trend to watch is a more consumer-centric go‑to‑market approach, as retailers now handle roughly 65 % of global salmon volume and push for higher product consistency, improved shelf life, and more convenient formats.

Once again, consensus is the fact that future demand for marine protein cannot be met by wild fisheries. Farmed Atlantic salmon remains one of the most resource‑efficient ways to supply high-quality seafood, and supply growth remains essential to prevent a protein gap.

Increased regulatory push  

National regulations are tightening requirements on fish welfare, environmental footprint reduction, and production area management.

These measures follow several years of biological challenges. For example, Atlantic salmon supply decreased modestly in 2024 due to disease outbreaks and weather impacts, highlighting the need for more resilient production systems.

As a result, companies are accelerating investments in biosecurity, monitoring technologies, and preventive health strategies.

The Seafood Innovation Award event at NASF is an important arena for showcasing innovation and ambition in Vestland’s seafood sector. Norwegian company Circmar is disputing the seafood logistics with their reusable packaging in a circular system and won the Seafood Innovation Award 2026. Photo: Charlotte Hartvigsen Lem. 

New feed ingredients reaching price parity

One of the most encouraging developments highlighted at NASF 2026 is the growing adoption of alternative feed ingredients, including microbial proteins, insect meals and novel plant-based ingredients.

New feed ingredients are increasingly recognized not only for their nutritional value but also for their functional effects, helping to improve fish health and overall growth performance. Many alternative ingredients, such as microalgae, insect meals, single‑cell proteins, and functional plant extracts, contain bioactive compounds that can enhance immune responses, support gut integrity, and reduce inflammation. These functional properties contribute to better nutrient absorption, improved stress tolerance, and greater resilience against pathogens.

As a result, diets incorporating such ingredients can promote more efficient growth, reduce dependency on antibiotics, and support more sustainable and robust aquaculture production.

The prices for marine oils and other protein sources have been steadily increasing. With production scaling up, these alternatives are approaching price parity with conventional proteins, enabling broader inclusion in diets while reducing reliance on marine resources. This shift is crucial for long‑term sustainability and future supply stability.

Submerged and closed pens on the rise

Technology developers showcased a wave of new closed, shielded and submerged farming systems. Analysts expect these designs to play a crucial role in unlocking growth by reducing losses, minimizing sea lice exposure, and improving overall biomass utilization. The effects already observed in early-stage deployments in Norway, as several farmers showed during the event. However, the capacity is not fully utilized, so increased volumes from new production facilities can be expected.

Several NASF presentations focused on the rapid integration of artificial intelligence throughout the value chain for optimized feeding algorithms, early disease detection models, biomass prediction tools, and automated environmental monitoring.

As companies face tighter biological constraints and rising costs, AI‑enabled operational models are emerging as a key driver of efficiency and improved fish welfare. The majority of farmers also showed shorter production cycles driven by better smolt quality and improved early growth.

Closed pens or submered cages, like Eide Fjordbruk’s Watermoon technology, were widely discussed as essential to meeting regulatory expectations and enabling growth in high-pressure production areas. Charlotte H. Lem. 

A strategic opportunity for Vestland

The takeaways from NASF underline a clear message: regions that combine strong regulatory frameworks, R&D capacity, and industrial competence will lead the next phase of aquaculture.

Vestland holds all these strengths.

With world-leading technology suppliers, producers, and a research ecosystem pushing the frontier of sustainable aquaculture, the region is well positioned to contribute the global transition toward more resilient and innovative salmon production.

Can your business contribute? Don’t hesitate to contact us do discuss opportunities in our region.