What Sjømat Norge does

Sjømat Norge is a Norwegian national industry trade association (landsforening) affiliated with NHO (Næringslivets Hovedorganisasjon) that represents the country's seafood value chain. Self-described as "Norges største sjømatorganisasjon," it was founded in 1994 and is headquartered at Næringslivets Hus in Oslo, with four additional regional offices in Trondheim, Bergen, Tromsø, and Ålesund. The organization is governed by a member-elected board chaired by Line Ellingsen and led operationally by Managing Director Geir Ove Ystmark, with a staff of approximately 11–50 people organized into specialized divisions covering aquaculture (Havbruk), fish processing and seafood industry (Industri), communications/policy/strategy, international work, and organization/labor relations, plus three regional aquaculture sub-divisions (Havbruk Nord, Midt, Vest).

Its service portfolio is non-software and centered on political advocacy, regulatory representation, collective bargaining under NHO, industry events (annual Årskonferanse, regional Høstmøte, Havbruksmøte i Nord), information sharing, and competence development. The organization generates revenue primarily through recurring membership dues from aquaculture producers, fish processing companies, and equipment/service suppliers, supplemented indirectly via its role in the markedsavgift (seafood export market fee) framework. Its core "technology" is institutional: direct access to the Norwegian government (documented consultation submissions to Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet, Mattilsynet, Sjøfartsdirektoratet; Prime Minister participation at its 2026 conference) and an established research partnership network with Havforskningsinstituttet, Sintef, NIVA, Akvaplan-niva, NCE Aquaculture, and others.

Recent strategic activity shows the organization actively shaping Norwegian aquaculture's regulatory frontier — most notably submitting a comprehensive reform package for future aquaculture regulations, supporting the government's designation of three offshore aquaculture areas (Frøyabanken nord, Trænabanken, Norskerenna sør) in September 2025, securing a reduction in the markedsavgift, and pursuing market diversification into Japan. As a private member-driven association under NHO, it has no external shareholders, no funding rounds, and no disclosed financials.

Name

Sjømat Norge

Legal name

Sjømat Norge

Website

https://sjomatnorge.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sjømat Norge is Norway's largest seafood industry trade association, affiliated with NHO. It represents aquaculture producers, fish processors, and seafood service suppliers through political advocacy, regulatory representation, collective bargaining, and industry events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Oslo

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Sjømat Norge generates revenue through membership fees from seafood industry companies, including aquaculture producers, fish processing companies, equipment suppliers, and service companies throughout the seafood value chain.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sjømat Norge is a membership-based trade association that advocates for Norway's seafood industry before government, media, and international institutions. It organizes the industry's collective bargaining, regulatory consultation responses, conferences, and member benefit programs across aquaculture, fisheries, and seafood processing. Its services are funded by member dues and delivered through a national office in Oslo plus regional offices in Trondheim, Bergen, Tromsø, and Ålesund.

Product overview

Sjømat Norge is Norway's largest seafood industry organization, a member-based trade association affiliated with Næringslivets Hovedorganisasjon (NHO). The organization operates as a federation of departments providing advocacy, policy representation, and member services across the Norwegian seafood sector. Its core divisions include Havbruk (aquaculture), Industri (fishing industry), Kommunikasjon politikk og strategi (communications/policy), Internasjonalt arbeid (international work), and Organisasjon og arbeidsliv (labor relations), each serving distinct segments of the seafood industry value chain. Regional subdivisions (Havbruk Nord, Midt, and Vest) provide localized representation. The organization also includes Seafood Federation as part of its structure. Services focus on political advocacy, regulatory engagement, collective bargaining, industry events, and member support rather than commercial software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Havbruk (Aquaculture Division) Represents and advocates for Norwegian aquaculture (fish farming) industry interests, focusing on salmon production, regulatory frameworks, technology development, and sustainable farming practices.
• Industri (Industry Division) Represents traditional fishing industry and marine raw materials processing, working to secure appropriate framework conditions and export market access for Norwegian seafood processing companies.
• Kommunikasjon, politikk og strategi (Communications, Policy and Strategy) Manages dialogue with politicians, authorities, and press to increase understanding of the Norwegian seafood industry. Handles public relations, policy development, and strategic communications.
• Internasjonalt arbeid (International Work) Handles international trade relations and market access issues for Norwegian seafood, including negotiations with foreign markets and international regulatory frameworks.
• Organisasjon og arbeidsliv (Organization and Labor Relations) Manages employer relations, collective bargaining agreements, and labor market policy for the seafood industry.
• Medlemskap og medlemsfordeler (Membership and Member Benefits) Membership services including tariff agreements, collective bargaining support, industry representation, networking events, and access to member benefit programs.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NHO (Næringslivets Hovedorganisasjon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSjømat Norge is a member-driven organization affiliated with NHO, Norway's largest employers' confederation. The organization coordinates on member services, policy advocacy, and representation within the NHO structure.
• FramtidshavetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFramtidshavet initiates and organizes the cleanup of Sognefjorden and Hardangerfjorden. Sjømat Norge is involved in the cleanup action for the third consecutive year, with member companies contributing vessels and crew.
• Norges SjømatrådcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Norwegian Seafood Council is mentioned as a partner in environmental cleanup initiatives and industry events. Both organizations collaborate on industry-wide initiatives.
• Norges SildesalgslagminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Rein Hardangerfjord cleanup initiative. The organization participates in joint cleanup efforts organized by Sjømat Norge and other seafood organizations.
• FiskebåtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian fishing vessel owners' organization that participates in joint industry initiatives including environmental cleanup efforts.
• FiskarlagetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian Fishermen's Association participating in joint cleanup initiatives and industry events with Sjømat Norge.
• Pelagisk ForeningminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPelagic Association participating in joint environmental initiatives organized by seafood organizations.
• NCE AquaculturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorwegian Centre of Expertise - Aquaculture, a cluster organization for the aquaculture industry. Sjømat Norge co-organizes events such as Havbruksmøte i Nord with NCE Aquaculture.
• Havforskningsinstituttet (Institute of Marine Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading research partner in the JellySafe project, which develops early warning systems and distribution models for jellyfish blooms to protect aquaculture operations. Project runs 2024-2026.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Norsk Industri: Norwegian Federation of Manufacturing Industries, a sister landsforening within NHO. Provides a comparable NHO-affiliated industry association model, although operating in manufacturing rather than seafood.
• Næringslivets Hovedorganisasjon (NHO): Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, the parent confederation of which Sjømat Norge is a landsforening member. Provides institutional context, broader cross-industry policy influence, and shared services relevant to Sjømat Norge's operating model.
• Global Seafood Alliance: International non-profit advancing seafood sustainability standards and certifications (Best Aquaculture Practices, Best Seafood Practices). Adjacent to Sjømat Norge's aquaculture members, increasingly shaping market access through retailer-driven certification requirements.

Regional players

• Salmon Chile: Chilean salmon industry trade association representing the world's second-largest salmon-producing country. A natural geographic and value-chain peer for Sjømat Norge's aquaculture members, particularly on global salmon market dynamics.
• Eurofish: International organization under the UN FAO framework covering European fisheries and aquaculture sector development. Engages in the same seafood value-chain representation and policy work, with a broader European/emerging-market scope.
• Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP): European-level aquaculture producers' federation covering EU member-state aquaculture associations. Operates in the same aquaculture advocacy space at a pan-European scope, providing Sjømat Norge's main counterpart for EU regulatory engagement.
• Seafood Industry Australia: National peak body representing the Australian seafood industry across wild-capture and aquaculture. Closest Australian equivalent in scope and function to Sjømat Norge, though operating in a different geographic and regulatory environment.

Direct peers

• Norges Sjømatråd (Norwegian Seafood Council): Norway's national seafood marketing and market-access body, also representing the Norwegian seafood value chain. Operates in parallel with Sjømat Norge on international promotion and trade policy, and the two collaborate on industry initiatives including cleanup campaigns.
• Norges Fiskarlag: Norwegian Fishermen's Association, the national trade body representing wild-capture fishermen in Norway. A direct industry counterpart on the fisheries side, collaborating with Sjømat Norge on labor and environmental initiatives.
• Pelagisk Forening: Norwegian Pelagic Fishing Association representing pelagic sector operators. A partner organization in joint cleanup and industry initiatives, addressing the same value-chain segment as Sjømat Norge's Industri division.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SjomatNorge
• Instagraminstagram.com/SjomatNorge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sjomatnorge

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sjømat Norge