A parliamentary majority in Norway is expected to vote on Thursday to instruct the government to abolish norm pricing and the Aquaculture Pricing Council from the 2027 income year, marking a significant shift in the country’s salmon tax framework.
The majority comprises Fremskrittspartiet, Høyre, Senterpartiet, Venstre and Kristelig Folkeparti. The move follows sustained pressure from the aquaculture industry, which has argued that the system creates tax uncertainty and imposes a significant administrative burden on companies.
The norm pricing regime was introduced as part of Norway’s resource rent tax on salmon and trout farming. Rather than allowing companies to calculate tax solely on the prices they achieve in the market, the Aquaculture Pricing Council establishes benchmark prices that can be used when determining taxable income.
Producers have argued that this can result in tax assessments based on theoretical market prices rather than actual contract values, creating uncertainty around future liabilities and investment returns.
Industry seeks rapid implementation
NHO regional directors from Rogaland to Finnmark, backed by Sjømat Norge’s regional chiefs, are calling on the government to move quickly if the parliamentary vote passes.
“The aquaculture industry needs clarity, predictability and conditions that make long-term investment possible,” said Hans Christian Hansson, regional director at NHO Nordland. “We expect the government to follow up quickly and cleanly.”
According to NHO, companies have diverted substantial resources to complying with the regime’s reporting requirements, while uncertainty surrounding benchmark prices has complicated investment planning.
Aquaculture remains one of Norway’s largest export industries and supports a broad supply chain across coastal communities, including shipyards, transport companies, equipment suppliers and local service providers.
NHO Trøndelag’s Guro Angell Gimse said unpredictable tax conditions directly reduce companies’ willingness to invest.
Resource rent tax remains in place
Sjømat Norge, which has led the industry’s campaign against the norm pricing regime, described Thursday’s expected vote as a milestone.
“Now it is critical that the government acts quickly,” said regional chiefs Randi Grøntvedt, Ingrid Lundamo and Kine Mari Karlsen.
The government must now draft and present legislation to formally dismantle the system.
While the proposal would remove one of the most controversial elements of the resource rent tax introduced in 2023, it would not abolish the tax itself. Instead, taxable income would once again be based on actual transaction prices rather than benchmark values established by the Aquaculture Pricing Council.
The industry will now be watching whether Oslo moves swiftly to implement the changes or allows the process to extend beyond the 2027 target date.
