Fish Liver Oil
Fish liver oil is an oil extracted from the livers of fish such as cod and is traded as a bulk edible oil.
Prices, specifications and international trade for fish liver oil under HS 150410.
Fish Liver Oil Price
Published reference · Jul 1, 2026
Fish liver oil is quoted in USD/t at NOR. Historical customs values may differ from the headline reference.
Explore fish liver oil pricesFish Liver Oil Exports and Imports
Norway led reported fish liver oil exports in 2025, at $48.1M.
Compare fish liver oil exporting countriesFish Liver Oil Specifications and Quality
Fish liver oil grading factors include Acid value, Peroxide value, and Anisidine value.
Grading Factors
Quality assessment for fish liver oil considers Acid value, Peroxide value, and Anisidine value.
- Acid value
Measures free fatty acids; low values indicate limited hydrolysis and better stability.
- Peroxide value
Indicates primary oxidation; buyers limit this to control rancidity.
- Anisidine value
Measures secondary oxidation products; important for flavor stability.
- Total oxidation (ToTox)
Combined index of peroxide and anisidine values; reflects overall oxidative state.
- Vitamin A content
Ensures nutritional value; minimum levels are required for cod liver oil.
- Vitamin D content
Ensures nutritional value; minimum levels are required for cod liver oil.
- EPA+DHA sum
Key omega‑3 fatty acids; minimum percentages define product class.
Common Defects
Recorded defects for fish liver oil include Oxidation, High acid value, and Insufficient vitamin content.
- Oxidation
Elevated peroxide or anisidine values arise from exposure to oxygen, heat or light during storage.
- High acid value
Excess free fatty acids result from hydrolysis during inadequate processing or prolonged storage.
- Insufficient vitamin content
Low vitamin A or D levels may occur if raw material is deficient or if losses are not restored during processing.
- Contaminant presence
Dioxins and other pollutants can be introduced from contaminated raw fish or insufficient refining.
Fish Liver Oil Facts and HS Code
Fish liver oil belongs to seafood within protein and dairy. Its customs classification covers HS 150410.
Fish Liver Oil HS Code
| Also known as | cod liver oil |
|---|---|
| Product type | Raw |
| Form | Refined |
| Category | Seafood — Protein and dairy |
| HS codes | 150410 |
| Quoted in | USD/t |
| Reference location | NOR |
Production & Handling
Fish liver oil storage guidance: Stored in airtight, light‑protected containers, often under inert gas; bulk oil kept in steel tanks flushed with nitrogen.
Production and Storage
| Storage conditions | Stored in airtight, light‑protected containers, often under inert gas; bulk oil kept in steel tanks flushed with nitrogen. |
|---|---|
| Production methods | Wild capture, Farmed |
| Processing steps |
|
Packaging
Typical fish liver oil packaging includes Bulk steel tanks, Flexi bags, and Bottles.
- Bulk steel tanks
Large stainless or mild‑steel containers flushed with nitrogen for bulk transport.
- Flexi bags
Flexible intermediate bulk containers used for bulk shipments.
- Bottles
Airtight glass or plastic bottles for retail or specialty markets.
- Capsules
Encapsulated oil for dietary supplement applications.
Uses & Risks
Fish liver oil is used in Dietary supplements, Fortified foods, and Pharmaceuticals.
End Uses
- Dietary supplements
Used as a source of EPA, DHA, vitamin A and D in capsule or liquid form.
- Fortified foods
Added to products such as infant formula, bakery items, or beverages for nutritional enrichment.
- Pharmaceuticals
Formulated into medicinal products where high vitamin A/D content is required.
- Animal feed
Incorporated into feed formulations for livestock or aquaculture.
Uses and Related Commodities
| Downstream industries | Nutraceutical, Pharmaceutical, Food manufacturing, Animal feed |
|---|
Sourcing risks
| Risk | Mitigation |
|---|---|
Contaminants Food safetyHigh Dioxins and other pollutants may be present if raw fish are sourced from polluted waters. | Source raw material from approved fisheries and apply thorough refining steps. |
Oxidation Food safetyMedium Exposure to oxygen, light or heat can increase peroxide and anisidine values, reducing product quality. | Store in airtight, nitrogen‑flushed containers and protect from light. |
Temperature control LogisticsLow Improper temperature during transport can accelerate oxidation. | Maintain ambient or chilled conditions and avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures. |
Fish Liver Oil Questions
- What are the minimum vitamin A and D levels required for fish liver oil?
- Cod liver oil must contain at least 40 µg of retinol equivalents per millilitre for vitamin A and at least 1.0 µg per millilitre for vitamin D.
- Which quality parameters are used to grade fish liver oil?
- Key parameters include acid value (≤ 3 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (≤ 5 meq O₂/kg), anisidine value (≤ 20), total oxidation value (ToTox ≤ 26), and the sum of EPA + DHA (≥ 27 % for certain species, ≥ 50 % for concentrated oils).
- How should fish liver oil be stored to preserve quality?
- It should be kept in airtight, light‑protected containers, preferably under an inert gas such as nitrogen; bulk oil is stored in steel tanks flushed with nitrogen.
- What processing steps are involved from raw fish liver to refined oil?
- The typical chain includes cooking or enzyme treatment, centrifugation, crude oil separation, followed by refining steps such as neutralisation, washing, bleaching, winterisation, deodorisation and distillation.