Research Visit in China related to Aquaculture Technology and Market

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China is one of the most important markets for Norwegian seafood sector including farmed salmon products and technology. Rapid economic growth and rising income level have increased demand for luxury seafood products dramatically over past several years, especially for fresh and healthy seafood. Norwegian Salmon has been one of the most favourite seafood by Chinese consumers, particularly by rapidly growing top-earning households. Norway is the world’s largest salmon producing country exporting over 90% of its total production. Norway’s ambition is to increase its salmon production by a five-fold and value creation by a six-fold between 2010 and 2050. Norway is in the transition of diversifying its farming technologies to more environmentally sustainable offshore and land-based automatic systems to reduce environmental problems such as sea lice and escapees. However, this technology may also enable salmon produced in China. A few Chines companies have started to build such facilities in China. How this new investment and technology will affect Norwegian salmon sector and its market shares, is the question we will explore through this research visit. This proposal would establish an interdisciplinary partnership of Norwegian and Chinese research institutions in related to aquaculture research and development. A research visit to China in Shanghai and Qingdao will be held between Norwegian and Chinese researchers. The ultimate goal is to plan and develop a joint new research proposal with a focus on aquaculture technology and market for the future to Norwegian and Chinese international and national funding agencies.