August was a good month for Norwegian seafood exports, as 65,000 tons worth NOK 7.5 billion were shipped out of the country. Volume was 2 per cent higher, while export value increased by 7 per cent or NOK 501 million compared to the same month in 2016.
So far this year, producers have exported 1.6 million tons of seafood worth NOK 60.6 billion. Volumes have risen 6 per cent, and the value has increased by 8 per cent or NOK 4.4 billion from the same period last year.
“Norway exported 7 per cent more salmon in August. This means that we exported more salmon for the first time this year compared with the same period last year. It is gratifying to see growth that can meet some of the demand for Norwegian salmon in the market,” says Asbjørn Warvik Rørtveit, director of market insight at the Tromsø-based Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).
Norway exported 90,700 tons of salmon worth NOK 5.5 billion in August. This is a volume increase of 7 per cent or 5,800 tons, and a 7 per cent or NOK 369 million gain over August of 2016. So far this year, Norway has exported 614,400 tons of salmon valued at NOK 42 billion. This is a volume increase of 1 per cent, while the value has increased by 11 per cent or NOK 4.3 billion from the same period last year. The average price for whole fresh salmon in August was NOK 57.59 per kg compared with NOK 58.12 per kg in August 2016. Poland and Denmark were the largest salmon markets that month.
Trout Exports Fall
Norway exported 3,700 tons of trout worth NOK 265 million in August. This is a volume decline of 38 per cent or 2,200 tons, and a 25 per cent fall in value or NOK 88 million from August of 2016. So far this year, Norway has exported 22,200 tons of trout worth NOK 1.8 billion. This represents a volume drop of 54 per cent or 26 700 tons, and a decline of 33 per cent or NOK 866 million from the same period last year. Japan and the United States bought the most trout from Norway in August.
Fresh and Frozen Cod Gains
“Norway exported 21 per cent more cod fish comprising cod, saithe and haddock in August compared with the same month last year. This contributes to a value increase of 11 per cent to total NOK 10 billion so far this year. Frozen cod fish has increased the most by 15 percent or NOK 464 million, while clipfish saw a 16 per cent or NOK 330 million increase from the same period last year,” reported Ingrid Kristine Pettersen, an NSC analyst.
“Brazil is the market that has increased the most,” she continued. “Norway exported 2,100 tons of fresh cod, including fillet, worth NOK 76 million in August. This is a volume increase of 400 tons or 20 per cent, and a 13 per cent increase of NOK 9 million from August last year. Denmark and Spain were the largest markets for fresh cod in August.”
So far this year, Norway has exported 58,200 tons of fresh cod, including fillets, valued at NOK 1.9 billion. This is a volume increase of 4,600 tons or 9 per cent, and an increase in value of 10 per cent or NOK 180 million over the same period last year.
Approximately 8,300 tons of frozen cod were exported, including fillets, worth NOK 251 million in August. This represents a volume hike of 2,900 tons or 54 per cent, and a value increase of 57 per cent or NOK 91 million compared to August of 2016. China and the UK were the largest frozen cod markets in August.
So far this year, Norway has exported 54,200 tons of frozen cod, including fillets, to fetch NOK 1.8 billion. This is a volume increase of 2,100 tons or 4 per cent, and a value increase of 7 per cent or NOK 121 million from the same period last year.
Clipfish Up, Salt Fish Down
Norway exported 7,700 tons of whole clipfish worth NOK 354 million in August. This is a volume increase of 1,800 tons or 31 per cent, and an increase of NOK 91 million or 35 per cent from August of 2016. So far this year 55,000 tons of clipfish worth NOK 2.4 billion have been exported. This represents a volume increase of 8,700 tons or 19 per cent, and a value increase of 16 per cent or NOK 329 million over the same period in 2016. Portugal and Brazil were the largest markets for clipfish in August.
Norway exported 850 tons of salted fish for NOK 34 million in August. This represented a volume reduction of 50 tons or 6 per cent, and a decrease of 5 per cent or NOK 1.6 million by value compared with August last year. So far this year, Norway has exported 22,300 tons of salted fish for NOK 987 million. This is a volume decline of 1,200 tons or 5 per cent, but a value increase of 2 per cent or NOK 22 million from the same period last year. Portugal and Italy were the largest salt fish markets in August.
Stockfish Exports Slip
Approximately 203 tons of whole stockfish from cod worth NOK 35 million were exported in August. This is a decline in volume of 28 per cent, and a drop in value of NOK 11.6 million or 25 per cent.
Herring Sales Rise
Norway exported 13,600 tons of herring worth some NOK 155 million in August. This is a volume increase of 28 per cent or 3,000 tons, and a value increase of 6 per cent or NOK 8 million compared with August of 2016. So far this year, 166,900 tons of herring worth NOK 1.8 billion has been shipped abroad. This is a volume increase of 23 per cent or 31,000 tons, and a decline in value of 1 per cent or NOK 18.4 million compared with the same period last year. Poland and Germany were the largest markets for herring in August.
Mackerel Season Underway
The season for Norwegian mackerel fishing started at the end of August, and fishing usually continues until November.
Exports of approximately 6,600 tons worth NOK 92.9 million were recorded for mackerel in August. This is a volume increase of 42 per cent or 1,900 tons, and an increase in value of 64 per cent or NOK 36.4 million compared with August of 2016.
So far this year, Norway has exported 108,000 tons of mackerel valued at NOK 1.4 billion. This represents a volume decline of 3 per cent or 2,800 tons, and a 7 per cent increase in value or NOK 95 million compared to the same period last year. China and South Korea have been the largest markets for this fish.
Red King Crab Sales Up
Norway exported 360 tons of red king crab worth NOK 94.3 million in August. This is a volume increase of 50 tons or 16 per cent and a value increase of NOK 27.3 million or 41 per cent over August of last year. South Korea took 70 per cent of red king crab shipments in August, and has taken 46 per cent so far this year.
Prawn Exports Fall
Norway exported 887 tons of prawns worth NOK 66 million in August. This is a decline of 280 tons or 24 per cent, while the value fell by NOK 2.7 million or 4 per cent. Sweden and the UK were the most valuable prawn export markets in August.
