This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 1 2026.
Norwegian vessels are increasingly routing fresh fish through Danish auctions, reshaping price discovery and logistics across Northern Europe. Danish authorities recorded 26,317 tonnes landed from Norwegian fishing vessels in 2025, almost 10,000 tonnes more than in 2024, with herring accounting for 21,365 tonnes and saithe 2,057 tonnes. The immediate driver is money. Both Fiskerimagasinet and Fiskeri Tidende report that strong North Sea fishing, combined with consistently higher auction prices in Denmark, is persuading skippers to bypass Norwegian buyers. Just as important is flexibility: much of the fish is landed in Norway and trucked south, which is often cheaper than sailing to Hanstholm or Hirtshals, while allowing vessels to spend more time fishing.
For the market, larger and more regular Norwegian volumes strengthen Denmark’s role as a regional “clearing house” for fresh fish. Auctions and exporters can move product rapidly into Europe for instance the auction site Hanstholm Fiskeauktion states that fish sold there can reach key EU markets within 24-36 hours. That speed may narrow price spreads between landing ports, reduce volatility for buyers, and increase competitive pressure on Norwegian coastal processors who rely on local landings. Fiskerimagasinet notes sharp increases in certain whitefish and in shellfish, including higher langoustine landings in Denmark, alongside growth in squid, linked to warming seas. If these trends persist, Danish processors could benefit from better utilisation of filleting and packing capacity, while retailers and foodservice buyers may see improved availability outside peak seasons.
Risks remain however, as more road transport raises cost exposure to fuel and border friction, and heavy inflows can squeeze Danish fishers during strong supply weeks. Still, in a year when Norway’s seafood exports reached a record value, the Danish auction channel is becoming an ever more influential route to market.
