According to recent figures from Norwegian Seafood Export Council, seafood exports increased by 3.2 BNOK from January through August.
Measured against the same period the previous year, there has never been a greater growth the first eight months of a year. For the first eight months of 2006, seafood exports totalled 21.3 BNOK, an increase of 18% compared with the same period last year.
Russia is headings towards its old heights. This market is made up primarily of frozen fish.
For August, exports reached 2.6 BNOK, an increase of almost 500 MNOK or 23% measured against August 2005. This is a record for exports so far this year and for the month of August.
Salmon is still the main reason for this strong growth. Salmon exports total 10.7 BNOK and account for 50 % of all Norwegian seafood exports. The salmon increase came to 2.9 BNOK. Clipfish and salted fish exports increased, while herring and mackerel exports are experiencing a decline.
Russia is approaching its 2005 level
Exports to Russia were at 1.66 BNOK at the end of August, which is 188 MNOK less that during the same period in 2005. A strong increase in exports of frozen salmon accounts for why Russia is approaching its 2005 level.
Increased share to the EU
While the total increase is at 18%, the growth in seafood exports to the EU has increased by over 23%. Exports to the EU amounted to 14.3 BNOK, an increase of 2.7 BNOK compared with 2005.
Of the EU countries, France, Great Britain, Poland and Spain are continuing to increase the most. Exports to France totalled 2 BNOK, making France the largest importer country of Norwegian seafood. It is also growing the most, with an increase of 567 MNOK.
Great Britain increased by 450 MNOK and is our third most important export market, with a value of 1.8 BNOK.
Growth also outside the EU
Brazil is now the market that is growing the most outside the EU. The reason for the strong growth to Brazil is increased exports of clipfish. The growth continues to the USA, where fresh and frozen salmon fillets contribute to the growth.
In Asia, China, Hong Kong and South Korea are increasing the most. Salmon, trout and frozen white fish products account for the growth.
