Occupying the northern and western areas of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe, Norway shares land borders with Sweden to its east plus Finland and the Russian Federation to its northeast.
Benefiting from one of the world’s longest but most rugged coastlines, Norway has water borders with the Skagerrak strait as well as the North Atlantic Ocean and Barents Sea.
Norway is a founding member of the Union Nations (UN), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Free Trade Association.
About 5.4 million residents call Norway home according to the International Monetary Fund. Norwegian is the nation’s official language. However, over 80 percent of Norway’s population speak English.
Norway is the world’s seventh richest nation in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita on a Purchasing Power Parity basis as of October 2021, and Europe’s fourth wealthiest behind Luxembourg, Ireland and Switzerland.
Norway’s demand for imported goods resulted in a subtotal US$31.8 billion worth of Norwegian spending on the 100 most valuable consumer products imported into Norway during 2020.
That consumer-driven dollar amount represents 39.1% of the overall value of all goods imported into Norway. Overall spending on all Norwegian imports, including raw materials, intermediate products and semi-finished goods, totaled $81.3 billion in 2020.
Among Norway’s most valuable imported consumer products in 2020 are: automotive parts or accessories; cars; refined petroleum oils; phone devices including smartphones; computers; and drugs or medicines.
Spending on all of Norway’s imported goods dropped by -5.4% from 2019 to 2020. Norway’s purchases focused on its top 100 consumer imports posted a slightly greater -5.7% decrease over the latest annual period.
The deceleration in Norwegian spending for key imported consumer products was lesser than the global average from 2019 to 2020, which was an average drop of -8.2% for all importing countries around the world.
Among the top 100 consumer products imported by Norway, 43 increased in total value from 2019 to 2020 whereas 57 declined.
Changes in Norwegian consumer demand for essential imports offer future opportunities for international suppliers who correctly anticipate which upward or downward trends will continue.
Consumer Products Defined
Economics educator BoyceWire defines a consumer product as a final good or end product that a business creates for consumers to buy. For example, consumers often purchase refined petroleum oil at the gas station while imported crude oil is an intermediate good subject to further processing before being sold to end users.
Although there may be a few wealthy individual buyers, products like turbojets are excluded from the consumer products targeted by this study. That is because turbojets are usually purchased by corporations. In contrast, it is common for a consumer to buy a motorcycle.
Types of Consumer Products
This article focuses on 3 distinct consumer product types.
Convenience Products are easy to access, non-durable, have relatively lower prices and therefore consumers frequently purchase them. Examples of convenience products are food, alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, and soap.
Shopping Products are not as easily available, involve more time to make a buying decision, are durable and are not bought as often as most convenience products. A great example of a shopping product is a mobile phone where buying the wrong model is a much more expensive mistake than buying a disappointing loaf of bread.
Specialty Products describe another consumer product type. This grey area includes infrequently purchased, expensive, durable and sometimes rare items. Consumers may consider the product’s brand image when making their purchase decisions. Some examples of speciality products are gold, silver, diamonds, jewelry, and branded refrigerators and dishwashers.
Norway’s Top 100 Consumer Imports List
The searchable marketing intelligence table below showcases Norway’s 100 highest-value imported consumer products in descending order. Items were selected at the four-digit Harmonized System tariff classification code level.
The table’s fourth column is labeled YOY for year over year. The fifth column identifies each entry’s consumer product type.
| # | Imported Product | US$ | YOY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cars | $1,964,822,000 | -29% | SP |
| 2 | Processed petroleum oils | $1,929,693,000 | -3.2% | CP |
| 3 | Phones | $1,926,954,000 | +12.9% | SP |
| 4 | Computers, optical readers | $1,646,529,000 | +7.3% | SP |
| 5 | Medications | $1,272,655,000 | -19.9% | CP |
| 6 | Trucks | $1,069,363,000 | -5.2% | SP |
| 7 | Miscellaneous furniture | $998,192,000 | -35.6% | SP |
| 8 | Automobile parts/accessories | $820,644,000 | +19.5% | SP |
| 9 | Miscellaneous iron or steel items | $603,666,000 | -0.1% | SP |
| 10 | Insulated wire/cable | $592,739,000 | -1.5% | SP |
| 11 | Seats (not barber/dentist chairs) | $590,704,000 | +3.2% | SP |
| 12 | Electrical converters/power units | $507,877,000 | +17.6% | SP |
| 13 | Wine | $502,285,000 | +19.9% | CP |
| 14 | Miscellaneous food preparations | $477,741,000 | +14.2% | CP |
| 15 | Plastic packing goods, lids, caps | $433,582,000 | -25.9% | CP |
| 16 | Miscellaneous plastic items | $417,263,000 | -16.7% | CP |
| 17 | Prefabricated buildings | $416,650,000 | +1.1% | SY |
| 18 | Lower-voltage switches, fuses | $414,765,000 | +6.7% | SP |
| 19 | Bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries | $397,580,000 | -16.2% | CP |
| 20 | Rubber tires (new) | $367,738,000 | +12.5% | SP |
| 21 | Orthopedic appliances | $364,808,000 | -2.1% | SP |
| 22 | Refrigerators, freezers | $347,839,000 | +2.1% | SY |
| 23 | Electric water heaters, hair dryers | $342,334,000 | +94.5% | SY |
| 24 | Trailers | $338,472,000 | -43.5% | SP |
| 25 | Microphones/headphones/amps | $334,089,000 | -3.8% | SP |
| 26 | Liquid pumps | $328,050,000 | -22.9% | SY |
| 27 | Electric generating sets, converters | $303,742,000 | +21.3% | SY |
| 28 | Pipe/chewing/snuff tobaccos | $303,665,000 | -3.9% | CP |
| 29 | Jerseys, pullovers (knit or crochet) | $302,326,000 | -5.6% | SP |
| 30 | Tractors | $301,231,000 | +8.3% | SP |
| 31 | Beauty/makeup/skin care | $293,384,000 | -14.6% | SY |
| 32 | Women's clothing (not knit/crochet) | $288,439,000 | +4.9% | SP |
| 33 | Waters with added sugar | $253,726,000 | +3.9% | CP |
| 34 | Tissues, napkins, toilet paper | $250,508,000 | -22.2% | CP |
| 35 | Sports equipment | $244,882,000 | +1.8% | SP |
| 36 | Air conditioners | $241,743,000 | -23.1% | SY |
| 37 | Screws, bolts, washers, hooks, pins | $238,989,000 | -14.2% | SP |
| 38 | Temperature-change machines | $236,410,000 | -11.4% | SY |
| 39 | Fish or meat flours, pellets | $233,663,000 | +42% | CP |
| 40 | Cigars/cigarellos, cigarettes | $233,031,000 | -37.7% | CP |
| 41 | Motorcycles | $231,907,000 | -16.9% | SP |
| 42 | Footwear (leather) | $228,052,000 | -31.1% | SP |
| 43 | Footwear (textile) | $224,176,000 | -14.9% | SP |
| 44 | Printing machinery | $221,685,000 | +17.7% | SP |
| 45 | Miscellaneous textile items | $218,959,000 | -5.6% | SP |
| 46 | Men's suits (unknit/non-crochet) | $215,820,000 | +38.4% | SP |
| 47 | Felt, other non-woven garments | $210,371,000 | -30.3% | SP |
| 48 | Computer parts, accessories | $209,708,000 | +12.9% | SP |
| 49 | Other organic cleaning preparations | $209,659,000 | -5.7% | CP |
| 50 | Electric storage batteries | $205,602,000 | -8% | SY |
| 51 | Yachts, canoes, row boats | $204,733,000 | -10% | SP |
| 52 | Cases, handbags, wallets | $204,485,000 | +17.6% | SP |
| 53 | Miscellaneous toys | $204,144,000 | +12.9% | SP |
| 54 | Chocolate, other cocoa preparations | $202,893,000 | +383.8% | CP |
| 55 | Dishwash, clean/dry/fill machines | $196,404,000 | -2.5% | SY |
| 56 | Electric motors, not generating sets | $192,478,000 | +15.3% | SY |
| 57 | Coffee | $187,120,000 | -44.9% | CP |
| 58 | Mattresses, quilts | $185,748,000 | +13.3% | SP |
| 59 | Soya beans | $181,990,000 | -17.1% | CP |
| 60 | Paper containers, cellulose wadding | $175,026,000 | -10.2% | SP |
| 61 | T-shirts, vests (knit or crochet) | $166,646,000 | +10% | SP |
| 62 | Whole fish (fresh) | $161,457,000 | -5.3% | CP |
| 63 | Vulcanized rubber items | $149,050,000 | +23.7% | SP |
| 64 | Women's clothing (knit or crochet) | $136,514,000 | -9.1% | SP |
| 65 | Sauces, condiments, seasoning | $134,610,000 | -2% | CP |
| 66 | Household base metal mountings | $131,069,000 | +82% | SY |
| 67 | Packaged insecticides, herbicides | $131,042,000 | +18.1% | SP |
| 68 | Vacuum cleaners | $130,976,000 | -3.3% | SY |
| 69 | Miscellaneous fruits (fresh) | $130,113,000 | -9.3% | CP |
| 70 | Cheese, curd | $128,176,000 | -25.6% | CP |
| 71 | Other fresh/chilled vegetables | $125,633,000 | +7.3% | CP |
| 72 | Miscellaneous live plants | $124,996,000 | -8.9% | CP |
| 73 | Special hand/machine tools | $122,933,000 | +57% | SY |
| 74 | Soap, organic surface-active goods | $122,418,000 | -3.9% | SP |
| 75 | Hair preparations | $117,267,000 | +1.9% | SP |
| 76 | Iron/steel stoves, barbecues | $113,591,000 | +6.3% | SY |
| 77 | Fresh or dried citrus fruit | $112,946,000 | +36.7% | CP |
| 78 | Video console games, table games | $112,477,000 | +349.6% | SP |
| 79 | Alcohol (including spirits, liqueurs) | $111,864,000 | -4.8% | CP |
| 80 | Women's coats (unknit/non-crochet) | $110,968,000 | -16.7% | SP |
| 81 | Unrecorded sound media | $110,286,000 | +13.7% | SP |
| 82 | Printed books, brochures | $109,541,000 | +7.9% | SP |
| 83 | Compasses, other navigational aids | $106,706,000 | -19.7% | SY |
| 84 | Other printed pictures, photos | $104,959,000 | -9.5% | SY |
| 85 | Dates/pineapples/mango/avocado | $102,990,000 | -13.3% | CP |
| 86 | Miscellaneous aluminum items | $102,674,000 | +4.2% | SP |
| 87 | Washing machines | $102,660,000 | -4.2% | SY |
| 88 | Plastic wares (table, kitchen, toiletry) | $100,019,000 | -24.9% | CP |
| 89 | Sanitary towels, baby napkins/liners | $98,882,000 | +15.8% | CP |
| 90 | Sugar confectionery (no cocoa) | $98,490,000 | -6% | CP |
| 91 | Grapes (fresh or dried) | $98,447,000 | +1.9% | CP |
| 92 | Footwear (rubber or plastic) | $95,906,000 | +39.4% | SP |
| 93 | Fish, caviar (preserved/prepared) | $93,724,000 | -2.6% | CP |
| 94 | Vulcanized rubber apparel | $92,448,000 | -4.6% | SP |
| 95 | Linens | $91,890,000 | -0.8% | SP |
| 96 | Paints, varnishes | $89,225,000 | -5.7% | SP |
| 97 | Malt extract, food preparations | $86,576,000 | -26.5% | CP |
| 98 | Motorcycle parts/accessories | $85,049,000 | -8.5% | SP |
| 99 | Miscellaneous preserved fruits | $84,250,000 | +5.7% | CP |
| 100 | Other pharmaceutical goods | $83,463,000 | -9.6% | SP |
Totaling 52 items, Norway’s most popular product type is shopping products (SP). This cohort was led by imported cars; phone devices including smartphones; computers; trucks; miscellaneous furniture; and automobile parts or accessories.
In second place via 31 items are convenience products (CP), articles that are bought routinely, used only once and generally require less thinking time before making a buying decision. Popular examples include processed petroleum oils; medications; wine; miscellaneous food preparations; plastic packing goods like lids and caps; and other miscellaneous plastic items.
Another 17 speciality products (SY) ranking among Norway’s top 100 imported consumer goods. Major speciality products imported into Norway include prefabricated buildings; refrigerators and freezers; liquid pumps; electric generating sets or converters; and beauty, makeup or skin care goods.
Durable consumer products are goods like cars, trucks, printing machinery, insulated wire or cable, and furniture that last a relatively long time. Consumers can put durable products to use again and again. By product type, note that both shopping products and speciality products are considered as durable consumer goods.
Non-durable consumer products (ND) are goods that are not re-used once consumed. Coal, medications, sugar and corn are examples of non-durable goods. Convenience products are uniquely non-durable consumer products.
Based on the product types identified in the above table, 69 of Norway’s highest-value consumer imported products are durable while 31 are classified as non-durable.
Using the provided table, you can also peruse the greatest increases or decreases in product values from 2019 to 2020. To do so, click on the heading of the fourth column.
Fastest-Growing Consumer Imports
Listed below are the top 10 consumer products imported into Norway that experienced the highest percentage increases in spending from 2019 to 2020.
- Chocolate, other cocoa preparations: Up 383.8% (US$202.9 million)
- Video console games, table games: Up 349.6% ($534.2 million)
- Electric water heaters, hair dryers: Up 94.5% ($342.3 million)
- Household base metal mountings: Up 82% ($131.1 million)
- Special hand or machine tools: Up 57% ($122.9 million)
- Fish or meat flours, pellets: Up 42% ($233.7 million)
- Rubber or plastic footwear: Up 39.4% ($95.9 million)
- Unknitted and non-crocheted men’s suits: Up 38.4% ($215.8 million)
- Fresh or dried citrus fruits: Up 36.7% ($112.9 million)
- Vulcanized rubber items: Up 23.7% ($149.1 million)
Four among the above top 10 gainers are shopping products and therefore also durable goods that consumers can re-use over time. The 5 fastest-growing shopping products in demand by importers in Norway are video console or table games; items made from vulcanized rubber.
The 3 speciality products in the top 10 fastest growers list above are electric water heaters and hair dryers; household base metal mountings; and special hand or machine tools.
The 3 fastest growers among the non-durable imported consumer products are chocolate including other cocoa preparations; fish or meat flours or pellets; and fresh or dried citrus fruit.
Worst-Declining Consumer Imports
Spending by import buyers in Norway on the following 10 items decreased in value by the highest percentages from 2019 to 2020.
- Coffee: Down -44.9% ($187.1 million)
- Trailers: Down -43.5% ($338.5 million)
- Cigars, cigarellos, cigarettes: Down -37.7% ($233 million)
- Miscellaneous furniture: Down -35.6% ($998.2 million)
- Leather footwear: Down -31.1% ($228.1 million)
- Non-woven garments including felt: Down -30.3% ($210.4 million)
- Cars: Down -29% ($1.96 billion)
- Malt extract, food preparations: Down -26.5% ($86.6 million)
- Plastic packing goods, lids, caps: Down -25.9% ($433.6 million)
- Cheese, curd: Down -25.6% ($128.2 million)
Five categories among Norwegian top 10 severest decliners are durable shopping products used over a period of time. The worst slippage among those categories was for Norway’s imported trailers, miscellaneous furniture and leather footwear. There were 5 non-durable consumer products among Norway’s 10 major import decliners from 2019 to 2020, namely coffee; cigars, cigarellos and cigarettes; and malt extract or food preparations.
Key Suppliers by Country
This analysis reveals competitive suppliers that target demand for 5 of Norway’s top consumer import products.
Norway’s biggest imported consumer product by value is cars. The other 4 leading consumer goods imported into Norway are processed petroleum oils, phone devices including smartphones, computers and medications.
Below, you will find major supplying countries for Norway’s imported:
Cars: Germany (36.5% of total), United States (10.2%), Japan (7.6%), China (7.1%), United Kingdom (5.6%), Czech Republic (5.2%), Sweden (5%), South Korea (4.9%), France (4.4%), and Spain (4.2%).
Processed petroleum oils: Sweden (39.4% of total), Russia (14.5%), United States (10.9%), Netherlands (10.3%), Denmark (7.5%), Belgium (3.6%), United Kingdom (2.8%), Qatar (2.2%), France (2%), and Germany (1.6%).
Phone devices including smartphones: China (61.5% of total), Vietnam (11%), United States (4%), Taiwan (4%), Germany (2%), Sweden (1.6%), Mexico (1.2%), Malaysia (1.2%), Denmark (1.2%), and Thailand (also 1.2%).
Computers: China (65.7% of total), Czech Republic (3.8%), Poland (3.7%), Hungary (3.2%), Germany (3.2%), United States (3.1%), Taiwan (2.3%), Sweden (2%), United Kingdom (1.7%), and Denmark (1.6%).
Medications: Germany (21.1% of total), Denmark (12.5%), United States (9.9%), Switzerland (8.2%), United Kingdom (6.5%), France (6.3%), Italy (4.9%), Sweden (4.4%), Spain (4%), and Ireland (3.1%).
See also
More great research: Norway’s Main Imports by Top Supplier Countries, United States Top 100 Imported Consumer Products, Portugal’s Main Imports by Top Supplier Countries, United Kingdom’s Top 100 Imported Consumer Products, 100 Top Consumer Products to Sell to Importers in Taiwan, Sweden’s Top Imported Consumer Products Ranked by Value
References
Independent insights and analysis presented in this article are based on researched facts and statistics sourced from the following educational sources.
BoyceWire, Consumer Goods Definition.
Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook: Norway Economy.
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database.
International Trade Centre, Trade Map.
Investopedia, Consumer Goods, Consumer Staples Definition, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).
Richest Country Reports, Top 100 Richest Countries by GDP.
Trading Economics, Norway Consumer Spending.
Wikipedia, List of largest consumer markets.
Wikipedia, Norway, Geography of Norway, Languages of Norway.
World’s Top Exports, Norway’s Top 10 Imports.
