The value of exports of Norwegian seafood in the first quarter of 2007 totalled NOK 9.8 billion. This is an increase of NOK 1.4 billion or 16.5 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to the latest figures from Statistics Norway and the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).
In March exports totalled NOK 3.6 billion, an increase of NOK 358 million. Thus new records have been set for the results for both the first quarter and the month of March.
"The strong demand for Norwegian seafood is continuing. In 2006 we exported seafood from Norway valued at NOK 35.5 billion. If this trend continues, the value of our exports for 2007 will top NOK 40 billion,” says Egil Sundheim, Director of Market Information and Market Access with the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.
In the first quarter of 2007 Norwegian salmon exports totalled NOK 4.4 billion, an increase of NOK 728 million compared to the same period last year. This is attributable to continuing high prices for Norwegian salmon combined with increased export volume. In the same period, exports of Norwegian trout increased by NOK 97 million or 37 per cent to a total export value of NOK 357 million. The increase is attributable to growth in volume.
Strong growth for salted fish
Exports of salted cod totalled NOK 582 million, an increase of no less than NOK 228 million or 65 per cent. Portugal is the biggest export market with a value of NOK 375 million, an increase of NOK 177 million. Spain was the second biggest export market with a value of NOK 145 million, an increase of NOK 58 million.
Exports of clipfish increased by NOK 105 million to NOK 910 million. Brazil and Portugal are the biggest export markets, with Portugal showing the strongest growth. Exports to Portugal totalled NOK 250 million and exports to Brazil totalled NOK 417 million.
Growth in herring exports, decline in mackerel exports
In the first quarter of 2007 herring exports totalled NOK 934 million, an increase of NOK 51 million compared to the same period last year. Russia is the biggest export market, valued at almost NOK 400 million. Exports of mackerel fell by NOK 87 million to NOK 277 million. China and Ukraine are the biggest export markets for mackerel, while exports to Japan and the UK declined.
Russia biggest single market
Exports to the EU increased by 15 per cent or NOK 801 million to NOK 6 billion. Russia is our biggest export market with a value of NOK 972 million, an increase of NOK 274 million compared to 2006. This is primarily attributable to an increase in exports of Norwegian Salmon, Norwegian trout and herring.
The Norwegian Seafood Export Council and Statistics Norway have also recorded growth in exports to Africa of 118 per cent. This is primarily attributable to growth in exports of herring and stockfish to Nigeria.
