Norway exported seafood worth NOK12.8 billion (€1.15 billion) in February, an increase of 14% over the same period in 2022.
This is primarily a result of higher prices rather than export volumes, which have fallen for six months in a row.
“Despite war and unrest in several parts of the world, Norwegian seafood exports have enjoyed a good start to the year in value, driven by high price growth and a weak Norwegian krone,” said Christian Chramer, chief executive of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
“However, export volume has fallen six months in a row, and we must go back to 2006 to a February month with a lower export volume of Norwegian seafood,” he added.
In total, Norway exported 207,000 tonnes of seafood last month, a decrease of 17% compared to February last year.
Export volumes of both cod and salmon have declined with reduced volumes of the latter resulting in a loss of around NOK600 million (€54.12 million).
The US was the largest export market in February, followed by Poland and Denmark. Salmon exports in particular are strong in the US and the country accounts for a full 10% of all export value.
Demand is increasing in China but falling in Japan although the value of salmon is at record prices with fillets and whole fish commanding NOK148 (€13.35) per kg and NOK102 (€9.20) per kg respectively.
