This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 7/22/2019

Overview

Norway is a high-cost producer with agricultural policies focused on maintaining a high degree of self-sufficiency.  To maintain agricultural production, Norway’s subsidies for most agricultural products exceed those of the EU.  High tariffs, quantitative restrictions and technical barriers to trade severely limit competitive products from entering the Norwegian market.  Tariff-rate quotas exist for grains, meat, and a range of horticultural products. Additionally, Norway extends rebates to food processors in compensation for the high cost of agricultural inputs and to ensure that Norwegian processed products can compete with imports.
 
Norwegian legislation is more restrictive than EU legislation regarding genetically modified products.  This difference in the assessment of biotech products has led to Norway’s rejection of several products approved in the EU.
The spirits, wine and beer (containing above 4.75% in alcohol by volume) retail market is controlled by a government monopoly, Vinmonopolet.
 
Opportunities

Best U.S. Food, Agricultural, Fishery and Forestry Prospects for Norway:

  • Processed fruit and vegetables
  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Tree nuts and peanuts
  • Beef, non-hormone treated
  • Conventional soybeans
  • Health foods, organics and non-traditional, niche products
  • Wine and beer
  • Sugar and sweeteners
  • Pet food
  • Hardwood lumber
  • Panel/plywood products
Norway is only 50 percent self-sufficient in food and agricultural production.  U.S. food and agricultural products are associated with high quality and innovation.  Large Nordic retail chains provide opportunities for high volume sales to established U.S. suppliers.  Norway is also a large importer of soybeans and has the only crushing facility in the Nordics.  While biotech restrictions impede the bulk of U.S. soybean exports, demand for conventional soybeans remains high.

Global branding and further integration of European markets is continuing to produce a more homogeneous food and drink market in Europe, but significant national differences in consumption remain. Nevertheless, certain common trends are evident throughout the EU: demand for greater convenience, more openness to non-traditional foods, and a growing interest in health foods, organics and niche markets.  For a thorough analysis of what commodities and products offer the best opportunities, access http://www.fas.usda.gov/ and consult the individual member states’ exporter guides.

Web resources:

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.