Exports of Norwegian seafood in the first half-year of 2010 totalled NOK 24 billion (€2.9 billion/$3.8 billion), marking the highest export value ever recorded for a first half-year period, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.
“A strong increase in exports of Norwegian salmon, Norwegian fjord trout and haddock has contributed to Norwegian seafood exports achieving the highest growth ever recorded. This positions the seafood industry among the fastest growing sectors in Norway,” said Terje Martinussen, MD of the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).
For the month of June alone, exports totalled NOK 4.3 billion (€528.3 million/$681.7 million). This was an increase of NOK 913 million (€112.2 million/$144.8 million) or 27% compared to the same month last year.
Salmon sets new record
In the first half-year of 2010, the value of Norwegian salmon exports totalled NOK 13.9 billion (€1.7 billion/$2.2 billion), up by NOK 3.2 billion (€393.3 million/$507.5 million) or 31% compared to the same period last year. In June alone, the value of exports of Norwegian Salmon increased by NOK 792 million (€97.3 million/$125.6 million) or 39%.
In the first half-year of 2010, the average price for whole fresh salmon was NOK 36.15 (€4.44/$5.73) per kg, up from NOK 31.70 (€3.90/$5.02) per kg in the same period last year.
In June, the average price stood at NOK 38.52 (€4.73/$6.11) per kg. Exports of salmon products in the first half-year period totalled 279,000 tonnes, compared to 255,000 tonnes in the same period last year. The biggest importers of Norwegian salmon are France and Poland.
“Farming of Norwegian Salmon and measures to combat salmon lice have received much media attention in Norway in 2010,” said Christian Chramer, director of information with the NSEC. “In the international media, with the exception of a French TV documentary, these issues have attracted very little attention outside Norway. We take the criticisms that have been made extremely seriously, but to date there has been no negative impact on buying patterns or preference for Norwegian salmon.”
In the same period, the value of exports of Norwegian fjord trout showed a decline of NOK 214 million (€26.3 million/$33.9 million) to a total of NOK 736 million (€90.4 million/$116.6 million).
The volume of exports was down from 31,000 tonnes to 19,000 tonnes.
The biggest importers of Norwegian trout were Russia and China.
Salted fish growth
In the first half-year of 2010, the value of exports of salted Norwegian cod increased by NOK 236 million (€29 million/$37.4 million) to a total of NOK 568 million (€69.8 million/$90 million). This is an increase of 71%.
Exports of clipfish up
Exports of clipfish increased in value by NOK 194 million (€23.8 million/$30.8 million) or 15% to a total value of NOK 1.5 billion (€184.4 million/$237.9 million).
Much of this growth is attributable to exports of Atlantic cod clipfish, whereas exports of Pacific cod clipfish have shown a decline.
Upturn in Norwegian cod
This year to date, exports of fresh Norwegian Cod products totalled NOK 685 million (€84.2 million/$108.7 million). This is an increase in value of 25%.
The largest growth was seen in exports to Denmark, which together with France is the biggest importer of fresh Norwegian cod.
Pelagic export slump
In the first six months of 2010, exports of herring were down by NOK 170 million (€20.9 million/$27 million) to a total of NOK 1.9 billion (€233.6 million/$301.5 million), a reduction of 8%.
Russia is the biggest importer of herring from Norway, with the market there valued at NOK 546 million (€67.1 million/$86.6 million).
Exports of mackerel were down by NOK 161 million (€19.8 million/$25.5 million) or 25% to NOK 491 million (€60.4 million/$77.9 million).
In the first half-year, the biggest markets for exports of mackerel were Russia and Turkey.
The decline in the value of exports of both herring and mackerel is attributable to falling prices.
