Norway exported seafood worth NOK 5.4 billion in April of 2015, a modest decline of NOK 386 million, or 7%, compared with April of 2014. So far this year, exports have totaled NOK 22.5 billion, which is at the same level as last year.
“We see that April figures are slightly below last year’s records. One explanation for this is that the prices achieved for salmon are somewhat lower as Russia, formerly one of our key markets, is no longer part of the export picture,” said Geir Bakkevoll, communications director for the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Exports of salmon, worth NOK 3.5 billion in April of 2015, posted a decline of NOK 362 million, or 9%, year-on-year. Salmon exports so far this year have totaled NOK 14.6 billion, up 1% compared with the same period in 2014.
By volume, 82,000 tons of salmon were exported in April. This is approximately the same as in April 2014. Tonnage of salmon shipped to date is 342,700, an increase of 8% compared with the same period last year.
Record Exports of Cod, Saithe
Meanwhile, exports of codfish were worth more than NOK 1 billion during April. Both cod and saithe set monthly export records, with increases of 35 and 33% respectively, compared with the same month last year.
“Behind these impressive numbers we noted high catch and activity levels at the fish factories during the Easter period. It is also gratifying to see that a focus on securing quality along the whole value chain is paying off in terms of increased prices achieved for our quality labeled skrei cod,” said Bakkevoll.
Exports of fresh cod, including fillets, increased by NOK 69 million, or 33%, to total NOK 277 million last month. With a total market value of NOK 272 million, the EU remains the biggest export region for Norwegian fresh cod.
Frozen cod sales increased by NOK 28 million, or 21%, to total NOK 162 million in April. Collectively, the EU is also the largest importer of frozen cod, buying NOK 118 million worth. Year-on-year growth across the EU region is a very positive 64%.
Salmon Market Trends
“After several years of strong growth in demand for Norwegian salmon, we now see the market flattening out. Demand within the EU region is still growing, but this has not been enough to compensate for the reduction in exports to Eastern Europe in 2015,” said Paul T. Aandahl, a market analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.
The average export price fetched for whole salmon in April was NOK 39.93 per kilo, or 12%, lower than the same month last year. Prices in April were 4% lower than in March.
European Union regional exports of Norwegian salmon were worth NOK 2.56 billion in April. This was a decline of 6%, or NOK 160 million year-on-year. By volume, 61,300 tons were exported to the EU in April. This was an increase of 5%, or 3,200 tons year-on-year.
Poland, France and Britain were the biggest markets in April. The UK continued its growth trend from the first quarter with salmon exports increasing by 18%, or NOK 40 million, to NOK 259 million. Exports by volume to the UK totaled 5,800 tons in April, an 18% increase amounting to 900 tons over the same month last year.
So far this year, EU regional imports of Norwegian salmon have reached NOK 10.7 billion – up 8%, or NOK 821 million, compared with the same period in 2014. By volume, tonnage rose 17% to 243,800 for the same period.
Increased Shipments to Asia, US
The export value of Norwegian salmon to Asia totaled NOK 610 million in April, an increase of 16%, or NOK 84 million, compared with the same month last year. By volume, 13,400 tons of salmon were exported to Asia last month – up 26% or 2,800 tons year-on-year. Japan, Hong Kong and Israel were the biggest Asian export markets in April.
Year-to-date exports of Norwegian salmon to Asia have reached NOK 2.5 billion, an increase of 18% from the same period in 2014. Volume during the same period increased by 26% to reach 51,900 tons.
Salmon exports to the United States totaled NOK 176 million in April. This amounted to an increase of NOK 23 million, or 15%, compared with April of 2014. Exported volume advanced by 600 tons, or 27% to 2,900 tons, compared with the same month last year.
So far in 2015, exports of Norwegian salmon to the US have been worth NOK 741 million, an increase of 25% over the same period in 2014. By volume, 11,800 tons have been exported to the US so far this year. That figure represents an increase of 37%, or 3,200 tons, year-on-year.
Lower Trout Exports
Trout exports totaled NOK 147 million in April, a decline of 37%, or NOK 88 million year-on-year. Volume weighed in at 3,300 tons, a decline of 33% from April of 2014. Belarus was the biggest market for trout in April, followed by Japan and Poland.
So far this year, exports of trout have reached a total value of NOK 606 million. This is a decrease of NOK 254 million, or 30%, compared with the same period in 2014. Export volume thus far in 2014 has fallen by 2%, to 13,300 tons.
Clipfish Sales Grow
Clipfish exports increased by NOK 21 million, or 12%, to reach a value of NOK 196 million in April. Portugal was the biggest market, buying NOK 55 million worth.
