Fresh herring trade by country: top importers, exporters and prices
World trade in fresh herring was worth $146.3 million in 2024, about 149.5 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 22% since 2017, and down 9% on 2023.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
World trade by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $146.3M | 149.5K t |
| 2023 | $160.2M | 162.7K t |
| 2022 | $127.0M | 159.8K t |
| 2021 | $128.3M | 160.2K t |
| 2020 | $118.9M | 167.3K t |
| 2019 | $123.4M | 189.2K t |
| 2018 | $117.2M | 210.6K t |
| 2017 | $120.0M | 201.2K t |
Top fresh herring exporting countries
Exports are led by the United Kingdom (23%), Denmark (19%) and Norway (12%). 57 countries reported exports, and the top three account for 55%.
| Exporter | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | $33.7M | 23% |
| Denmark | $28.0M | 19% |
| Norway | $18.2M | 12% |
| Sweden | $17.5M | 12% |
| Netherlands | $9.1M | 6.2% |
| Finland | $8.9M | 6.1% |
| Germany | $7.0M | 4.8% |
| Iceland | $5.0M | 3.4% |
| Greenland | $2.2M | 1.5% |
| Greece | $2.2M | 1.5% |
| France | $2.1M | 1.4% |
| China | $1.9M | 1.3% |
Top importing countries and buyer markets
Norway is the biggest buyer with 36% of world imports, ahead of Denmark and Nigeria. Demand is concentrated: the top three take 76% across 80 importing countries.
| Importer | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Norway | $52.8M | 36% |
| Denmark | $49.0M | 34% |
| Nigeria | $9.8M | 6.7% |
| Estonia | $8.2M | 5.6% |
| Germany | $6.5M | 4.4% |
| Lithuania | $2.8M | 1.9% |
| Belgium | $2.5M | 1.7% |
| Spain | $2.3M | 1.5% |
| Bulgaria | $1.6M | 1.1% |
| Poland | $1.5M | 1% |
| Canada | $1.4M | 1% |
| Netherlands | $1.4M | 0.9% |
Average price per kg
The world average declared value was about $0.98 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the Netherlands averaged $1.73 per kg and Finland $0.41 per kg, so grade and origin matter.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments worldwide. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in this market?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 0302.41: Fish: fresh or chilled, herrings (Clupea harengus, Clupea pallasii), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0302.91 to 0302.99. HS 0302 codes.
Common questions
Which countries export the most fresh herring?
The United Kingdom exported $33.7 million in 2024, 23% of the world total, followed by Denmark (19%) and Norway (12%). In all, 57 countries reported exports of this product. The full ranking and map are on this page.
Which countries import the most fresh herring?
Norway imported $52.8 million in 2024, 36% of world imports, ahead of Denmark (33%) and Nigeria (7%). The top three importers together take 76%. Each country with its own page is linked from the table.
How big is the world trade in fresh herring?
It was worth $146.3 million in 2024, about 149.5 thousand tonnes. That is an increase of 22% since 2017. The peak year was 2023 at $160.2 million. 57 countries reported exports and 80 reported imports.
What is the average price of fresh herring per kg?
The world average declared value was about $0.98 per kg in 2024. Among the main exporters, the Netherlands averaged $1.73 per kg and Finland $0.41 per kg, so grade and origin matter. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so treat it as a benchmark, not a quote.
What is the HS code for fresh herring?
The HS code for fresh herring is subheading 0302.41, in chapter 03 (fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates). Customs uses this code worldwide at the six-digit level; national tariffs add more digits. The full list of codes is on the HS 0302 page.
How can I find fresh herring buyers and suppliers?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX shows the importers and exporters behind this trade from shipment-level customs records, updated weekly, with direct customs feeds and mirror data. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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