For the year to date, the value of exports of Norwegian seafood totals NOK29.3bn, an increase of NOK1.6bn on the same period last year. This sets a new export record for the period, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.

“The reduction in the value of exports of Norwegian seafood in July is attributable primarily to lower prices on the world market for salmon,” says Egil Ove Sundheim, director of market information with the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. “However, at the same time the groundfish sector has shown a positive trend, with record exports of clipfish. July also saw this year’s stockfish segment get off to a good start in terms of sales.”

Salmon exports in downturn

The value of exports of Norwegian salmon fell in July by NOK430m or 16% compared to the same month last year. The reason for this decline is lower export prices on world markets. In the same month, the volume of exports of Norwegian salmon increased by 3.4%. This year to date, the value of exports of Norwegian Salmon stands at NOK17.3bn, up by NOK732m compared to the same period last year. France and Russia were the biggest export markets for Norwegian Salmon in July.

Increase in groundfish exports

Exports of fresh and frozen groundfish products were up in July by NOK36m to a total of NOK480m. This increase is attributable primarily to increased exports of fresh and frozen haddock. For the year to date, total exports for this sector stand at NOK3.5bn, slightly up on the same period last year.

Herring and mackerel export growth

In July, exports of herring increased in value by NOK35m to a total of NOK124m. For the January-July period, exports of herring totalled NOK2.4bn, an increase of 18%. Exports of mackerel also showed good growth in July, increasing in value by NOK34m or an impressive 179% to a total of NOK53m. This year to date, the value of exports of mackerel total NOK805m, an increase of almost 60% compared to the same period last year.