Norway exported 151,000 tons of seafood valued at NOK 6.8 billion in April. Volume was down by 23 per cent and export value declined by 7 per cent, or NOK 529 million, compared with April of 2016. So far in 2017, Norwegian producers have exported 886,000 tons of seafood worth NOK 31 billion. Year to date (YTD) export volumes are at the same level as last year, while value has increased by NOK 2.3 billion, or 8 per cent.
“Despite reduced exports in April, Norway has so far this year exported the same amount of seafood as in the same period in 2016. The value of exports has increased by 8 per cent to NOK 31 billion for the same period. The decline in seafood exports in April is mainly due to a shift in Easter (the holiday fell on April 16 this year vs. March 27 last year), which again explains some of the decline in export volumes for our important seafood products such as salmon and clipfish,” said Asbjørn Warvik Rørtveit, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s director of market insight.
Salmon Volumes Down, Value Same
Norway exported 60,000 tons of salmon worth NOK 4.9 billion in April. The reduction in the volume of exports to the EU was 9,400 tons, while the total decrease in volume was 8,800 tons, or 11 per cent. The value of salmon exports was at the same level as in April 2016. So far this year, Norway has exported 305,000 tons of salmon worth NOK 21 billion.
While the average price for whole salmon was NOK 57.11 per kg in February of 2016, it rose to NOK 63.59 per kg in April of 2017. Poland, France and the United States were the largest export markets for Norwegian salmon in last month.
“Strong price growth compared with the same period last year has led to NOK 2.7 billion added value, or 15 per cent, for Norwegian salmon exports so far this year. A trend we have seen over time is that exports to the EU are reduced, while exports to overseas markets have increased,” said Paul Aandahl, an analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Trout Volume and Value Decline
In April, Norway exported 2,480 tons of trout worth NOK 199 million. Volume fell by 5,400 tons, or 69 per cent, while value fell by NOK 204 million, or 51 per cent, compared with April of last year. Thus far in 2017 Norway has exported 11,100 tons of trout worth NOK 874 million. Japan, Belarus and the United States were the largest buyers in April.
Frozen Cod Exports Fall
In April, Norway exported 5,300 tons of frozen cod worth NOK 171 million. This was a decrease in volume of 1,300 tons, or 19 per cent, while the value fell by NOK 51 million, or 23 per cent, from April of last year. So far this year, Norway has exported 26,000 tons of frozen cod worth NOK 856 million.
Fresh Cod Exports Up
Meanwhile, Norway exported 10,800 tons of fresh cod, including Skrei, worth NOK 341 million in April. By value this represents an increase of NOK 24 million, or 8 per cent. The volume increase amounted to 625 tons, or 6 per cent compared with April of 2016.
Norwegian producers exported 881 tons of quality mark skrei in last month. This was an increase of 203 tons compared to of April of last year. The average price fell slightly from NOK 33.48 per kg in April of 2016 to NOK 32.89 per kg during the same month this year. The value of skrei exports increased by 28 per cent to NOK 29 million.
During the Skrei season, Norway has exported 5,000 tons of product worth NOK 181 million. This is the same level for the like period in 2016 measured by volume, but a slight decline of 1.8 per cent when measured by value. Spain, Germany and Sweden were the largest consumer markets for skrei this year. Germany and Sweden were the least price sensitive markets.
As the skrei season came to a close, the price difference between whole quality marked skrei and other fresh cod was NOK 6.59 per kg.
“There is no doubt that the quality mark Skrei has been a success in Spain, and that quality has been very good this year. The skrei season is something that Spaniards anticipate and look forward to. Since much of the fish passes through transit countries like Denmark, the export figures alone do not tell us if there has been an increase in skrei sales to Spain. However, our local sources have suggested that there has been an increase in the Spanish market this season,” said Hildegunn Fure Osmundsvåg of the Norwegian Seafood Council in Spain.
Clipfish Exports Down
Norway exported 4,600 tons of clipfish worth NOK 203 million in April. This represented a decline in volume of 595 tons, or 11 per cent, and a decrease of NOK 51 million, or 20 per cent, in export value compared to April of 2016. So far this year, export volumes have increased by 3,200 tons, or 13 per cent, to a total of 26,900 tons, while value has risen by NOK 54 million, or 5 per cent, to total NOK 1.1 billion compared to the same period last year.
Salted Fish Declines
In April, Norway exported 4,400 tons of salted fish worth NOK 202 million. Export volume fell by 1,500 tons, or 26 per cent, and export value fell by NOK 46 million, or 18 per cent, compared to April of last year. Portugal, Spain and Italy were the main export markets for salted fish in April.
Herring and Mackerel
Norway exported 9,800 tons of herring worth NOK 104 million in April. This was a volume increase of 1,300 tons, or 16 per cent, while export value was down by NOK 19 million, or 15 per cent, from April of 2016. Egypt, Belarus and Lithuania were the most important markets for herring.
Norwegian producers exported 10,500 tons of mackerel worth NOK 135 million. Volume was reduced by 2,500 tons, or 19 per cent, while export value fell by NOK 22 million, or 14 per cent, compared with April of 2016. China, Vietnam and Belarus were the largest markets for mackerel in April.
So far this year, Norway has exported herring and mackerel worth NOK 2.6 billion, an increase of 9 per cent from the same period last year.
King Crab and Prawns
Norway exported 46 tons of king crab worth NOK 14 million in April. This was a volume decrease of 15 tons, or 24 per cent, while export value remained at the same level as the same month last year.
Norway exported 646 tons of prawns worth NOK 44 million kroner in April. Volumes were down by 86 tons, or 12 per cent, and value declined NOK 19 million, or 30 per cent year-on-year.
