Norwegian seafood export growth continues

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Except for October 2009, when figures were flat, Norway’s seafood exports have enjoyed uninterrupted growth for the last 22 months.

The popularity of farmed salmon continues to grow despite high market prices.

In July, seafood exports totalled an impressive NOK 3.8 billion (€480.9 million/$631.9 million), up by more than NOK 500 million (€68.3 million/$83.1 million) or 15% from July 2009. The value of exports in the first seven months of this year totalled NOK 27.9 billion (€3.5 billion/$4.6 billion), up by some NOK 4 billion (€506.2 million/$665.1 million) on the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).

“Seafood exports in July show that the demand for Norwegian seafood is very strong at present,” said NSEC director of market information Egil Ove Sundheim. “Exports of salmon, in particular, have contributed significantly to this growth . In France, our most important market for salmon, increased consumption of smoked salmon is contributing to growth.”

In July, exports of Norwegian salmon increased in value by NOK 565 million (€71.5 million/$93.9 million) or 26% to a total of NOK 2.7 billion (€341.7 million/$448.9 million).

This year to date, the value of exports of Norwegian salmon total NOK 16.6 billion (€2.1 billion/$2.8 billion), an increase of NOK 3.8 billion (€480.8 million/$631.6 million) or almost 30% compared to the same period last year.

France was the biggest importer of Norwegian salmon in July, with exports to France valued at NOK 382 million (€48.3 million/$63.5 million), up 10% from July 2009. Russia is the next biggest market for Norwegian salmon, with exports valued at NOK 259 million (€32.8 million/$43 million), up by 46% from July 2009.

Low season for pelagics

Summer is a relatively quiet season for herring and mackerel fishing, and even though the most important products are frozen, this is nonetheless reflected in the export statistics. Exports of herring in July totalled NOK 91 million (€11.5 million/$15.1 million) in value, down by 15% compared to July last year.

This year to date, the value of herring exports currently totals NOK 2 billion (€253.1 million/$332.3 million), down by 9% compared to the same period last year. The value of exports of mackerel in July totalled NOK 19 million (€2.4 million/$3.2 million), down by 10% compared to July 2009.

This year to date, exports of mackerel total NOK 509 million (€64.4 million/$84.5 million) in value, a marked downturn of 24% compared to the same period last year.

Frozen cod exports grow

In July, the value of exports of frozen Norwegian cod (both whole and fillets) totalled NOK 143 million (€18.1 million/$23.8 million), an increase of NOK 29 million (€3.7 million/$4.8 million) or 26% compared to July 2009.

Exports of frozen whole cod totalled NOK 72 million (€9.1 million/$12 million), while exports of frozen cod fillets totalled NOK 71 million (€9 million/$11.8 million).

The value of exports of frozen cod products for the year to date shows an increase of 32% to a total of NOK 814 million (€103 million/$135.2 million) compared to the same period last year.

Exports of fresh Norwegian cod from fishing showed a decline of 20% in July, compared to the same month last year. However, for the year to date exports of fresh cod are up by 11% compared to the same period in 2009, with the value of exports of whole cod up by 21% and exports of fillets up by just over 3%.