China’s salmon imports remained sharply above year-ago levels in June, although volumes continued to retreat from the exceptionally high levels recorded earlier in 2026, marking a very different seasonal pattern from last year.

The country imported 13,712 metric tons worth $133.6 million in June, up 21% in volume and 29% in value year-on-year, according to the latest Chinese customs data.

The average import value increased 6% to $9,742/t, from $9,162/t in June 2025, according to data on Undercurrent‘s trade portal, which you can sign up for here to trial if you don’t have access. 

However, June volume was 4% below May’s 14,247t and 18% below the 16,750t imported in February, which remains the high point of 2026.

The pattern contrasts markedly with 2025. Imports started last year at 11,335t in January before falling to 9,024t in February, then increased successively to 9,635t in March, 10,379t in April, 11,130t in May and 11,293t in June.

This year, by contrast, imports surged from 15,521t in January to 16,750t in February, before falling to 14,279t in March and 12,943t in April. They recovered to 14,247t in May before slipping again in June.

That means China’s June imports were still 3,457t above the same month of 2025, despite having fallen more than 3,000t from February’s peak.

The strong start to the year has consequently left cumulative imports far ahead of 2025.

China imported 87,452t of salmon worth $906.6m during January-June, increases of 39% and 45%, respectively, from the same period last year. Average import value rose 4% to $10,367/t, compared with $9,926/t during the first half of 2025.

Norway remained overwhelmingly China’s largest supplier and was the biggest contributor to the market’s expansion.

Chinese imports from Norway reached 10,125t worth $98.6m in June, increases of 24% and 33%, respectively. Average import value increased 7% to $9,740/t, from $9,129/t a year earlier.

Norwegian volumes were also slightly lower month on month, falling from 10,300t in May, and remained well below the 11,185t imported in February.

Even so, Norway alone accounted for almost three-quarters of China’s salmon imports during June.

Across the first half, China imported 59,856t of Norwegian salmon worth $622.4m, with volume jumping 53% and value 62% year on year.

Norway’s average value increased 6% to $10,399/t, from $9,792/t, leaving the country responsible for around 68% of China’s total salmon import volume during the six-month period.

However, the scale of growth outside Norway is another striking feature of the 2026 data, suggesting China’s enlarged market has been capable of absorbing considerably more salmon from several origins.

The Faroe Islands shipped 1,281t worth $12.9m in June, with volume up 80% and value climbing 89% year on year. Its average import value increased 5% to $10,066/t.

For January-June, Faroese shipments increased 68% to 7,552t, while value surged 80% to $80.7m. Average value rose 7% to $10,685/t.

Chile has recorded an even sharper expansion.

June imports from Chile increased 18% to 863t, while value rose 24% to $8.4m. Average value increased 5% to $9,698/t.

Across the first half, Chinese imports from Chile soared 148% to 8,659t, while value increased 127% to $86.7m. Unlike Norway and the Faroe Islands, however, Chile’s rapid volume growth was accompanied by lower average prices, with its January-June average dropping 9% to $10,010/t.

Iceland was another standout growth supplier. Chinese imports almost doubled in June to 615t, up 95%, while value also rose 95% to $5.8m.

For the first six months, Icelandic volume more than tripled, rising 255% to 3,971t, while value surged 259% to $40.4m.

Australia moved in the opposite direction over the first half. Imports fell 20% to 4,998t, while value declined 24% to $51.8m.

June nevertheless showed a sharp reversal against a very low comparison base, with Australian shipments increasing from just 29t in June 2025 to 266t.

Overall, China imported almost 24,700t more salmon during the first six months of 2026 than a year earlier and spent roughly $283m more.

But the monthly trajectory provides an important qualification to that growth. Rather than accelerating into the middle of the year as it did in 2025, China’s import market reached an extraordinary peak in February and has since settled at lower levels.

Even after that retreat, however, June volumes remained more than one-fifth above last year, suggesting the underlying size of China’s salmon import market has shifted substantially higher in 2026.

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