Norway exported seafood worth NOK 12 billion last month, up 28 per cent compared with November of 2020. So far this year seafood sales abroad have fetched NOK 108.8 billion, thus already breaking the previous annual record of NOK 107.2 billion recorded in 2019.
“Although we still have major challenges with the corona pandemic (SARS-CoV-2) both at home and abroad, we are experiencing growth in demand compared with November of last year. This applies to important species such as salmon, cod, trout, saithe and king crab,” said Renate Larsen, chief executive officer of the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).
Minister Praises Achievement
“There are many skilled professionals along the entire coast who have contributed to the industry’s impressive export record. With high demand for Norwegian seafood, good prices and the Christmas season ahead of us, I believe that we will have a strong end to this record year 2021,” remarked Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs Bjørnar Skjæran.
Assuming a normal export value is achieved in December, the 2019 record will be beaten by around NOK 10-11 billion, calculated Larsen, who commented: “This is happening despite the fact that both 2020 and 2021 were very challenging. When we still set a new value record after the first 11 months of the year, it shows that Norwegian seafood hits well in the market demand.”
As spread of the Omikron variant of the coronavirus first detected in South Africa was announced to the general public early in December, Larsen is uncertain whether this development will impact Christmas sales of seafood. She commented: “We do not believe that a possible new shutdown will affect demand as dramatically as at the start of the coronavirus pandemic [which originated in China approximately two years ago]. Many people have learned to prepare seafood at home during this period, as new shopping patterns have been established with online shopping and increased use of home delivery.”
Solid Salmon Sales
Approximately 127,000 tons of salmon worth NOK 8 billion were exported in November, up 19 per cent in volume and NOK 2.3 billion, or 40 per cent, in value compared with the same month in 2020. Poland, France and Denmark were the largest import markets.
“In export volume, this was the third highest month ever, only beaten by September and October this year,” reported Paul T. Aandahl, a seafood analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Most markets have seen a strong increase in export volume and value as a result of continued high sales to the retail grocery trade. At the same time, the consumption of salmon in restaurants has increased compared to last year.
“Thailand is a market that is worth highlighting this month. In November, Norway exported salmon worth NOK 145 million, which represents 92 per cent growth. Export volume totaled 2,400 tons, an increase of 47 per cent compared to the same month last year,” said Aandahl.
Record for Trout
Approximately 6,600 tons of trout fetching NOK 427 million were exported in November, a rise of 6 per cent in volume and a value increase of NOK 102 million, or 31 per cent, compared with November of 2020. Receipts, the highest ever recorded, were 2 per cent higher than in the previous record month in September of this year. Belarus, Japan and the USA were the largest markets.
Volume Growth for First Time this Year
“Export volume has varied a lot in recent years. In November, there was volume growth of 6 per cent compared with the same month last year. This is the first time in 2021 that we saw an increase. Compared with the record month in April 2016, the volume was still 17 per cent lower,” reported Aandahl.
Norway exported 2,600 tons of fresh cod, including fillets, worth NOK 125 million in November.
Volume increased by 34 per cent, while value rose by NOK 32 million, or 35 per cent, compared with November of last year. Denmark, Sweden and Germany were the largest markets.
“The growth in exports of fresh fillets to Sweden continues, with a volume increase of 72 per cent last month and a growth rate of 60 per cent so far this year,” said NSC analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan.
Also Growth for Frozen Cod
Norwegian producers exported 8,100 tons of frozen cod worth NOK 351 million in November, up 16 per cent in volume. Value increased by NOK 67 million, or 24 per cent, compared with the same month last year. The United Kingdom, Poland and China were the largest markets.
Sales of frozen fillets to the UK continue to grow. Exports to Britain last month totaled 547 tons, or 99 per cent higher than during November of 2020. Value was NOK 41 million.
“So far this year, the export volume of frozen fillets to the United Kingdom has increased by 44 per cent. We also see that the number of restaurant visits in the UK since the reopening this summer continues to be significantly higher than before the coronavirus pandemic,” said Brækkan.
Europe is Top Export Region
For frozen whole cod, the shift towards more exports to Europe, and less to China, continues. As much as 77 per cent of exports of frozen whole cod in November went to the European market.
So far this year, 65 per cent of the exports of frozen whole cod have gone to Europe, which is a growth rate of 59 per cent compared to 2020, and 49 per cent compared to 2019.
“The proportion of frozen cod exported to China in the first 11 months of the year has decreased from 47 per cent in 2019 to 32 per cent this year. Higher transport costs for frozen seafood and corona-related import restrictions in China are the main reasons for this change,” said Brækkan.
Clipfish Exports Rise
Norway exported 9,200 tons of clipfish worth NOK 513 million in November, up 22 per cent. Value increased by NOK 96 million, or 23 per cent, compared with the same month in 2020. Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Brazil were the largest markets.
Clipfish exports of cod to Portugal continue to grow, increasing in November by 435 tons, or 14 per cent, was value of NOK 264 was up 7 percent.
Good Development in Exports to Dominican Republic
“Export volume for saithe clipfish to the Dominican Republic increased by as much as 40 per cent in November. Volume so far this year is now only 4 per cent lower than the record year 2020, while the export value has increased 1 per cent, or NOK 4 million, to NOK 471 million,” reported Brækkan.
There was a decline in the export of clipfish of both saithe and cod to Brazil last month, but for both species the volume so far in 2021 is still higher than last year.
Tightening Demand for Herring
Norway exported 52,700 tons of herring worth NOK 640 million last month, which was a decrease of 2 per cent compared with November of last year. Value, however, increased by NOK 50 million, or 8 per cent. Egypt, Poland and Lithuania were the largest markets. Strong demand continues.
Good Development in Prices
“Only once before has the average price for herring been higher in November than this year. That was in 2016, but then the quota was only 40 per cent of what it is today. The average price of whole frozen herring was NOK 8.14 per kg in November against NOK 7.28 per kg in the same period last year. This is an increase of 23 per cent, at the same time as the quota this year increased by 24 per cent compared to last year,” reported Jan Eirik Johnsen, The Norwegian Seafood Council’s pelagic species manager.
Slippage in Mackerel Exports
Norway exported 43,100 tons of mackerel worth NOK 764 million in November. That was down 25 per cent compared to the same month in 2020, while value fell by NOK 165 million, or 18 per cent. South Korea, Japan and China were the largest markets.
With a record-breaking start to the season and high export volumes in August, September and October, sales had been expected to slow down somewhat in November.
Record Mackerel Quota
“At the same time, we see that there is very good demand for Norwegian mackerel. With a record quota of over 300,000 tons, prices have so far this year been below last year. In November, however, they rose sharply and passed last year’s prices by a good margin,” said Johnsen.
Solid Growth in Exports to South Korea
The average price of mackerel exported to the important Asian markets was NOK 18.35 per kg in November, against NOK 16.21 per kg in the same period last year, which equated to an increase of 13 per cent. Shipments to South Korea were particularly strong last month, weighing in at 14,400 tons.
“We see a strong demand for Norwegian mackerel in South Korea. This is due to increased home consumption through the coronavirus pandemic. New sales channels such as online shopping have made Norwegian quality mackerel more accessible to Koreans. A decrease in own landings of mackerel has also contributed,” according to Johan Kvalheim, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s envoy to Japan and South Korea.
November Receipts Up 84% for King Crab
Norway exported 155 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 116 million last month. While this represented a decrease in volume of 11 per cent, export value rose by NOK 53 million, or 84 per cent, compared with November of 2020. The USA, Denmark and Spain were the largest markets, with demand for frozen product especially strong.
“A high willingness to pay in the American and European markets combined with a weak krone has led to another price record. An export price of NOK 865 per kg for frozen king crab from Norway is 40 per cent, or NOK 248 per kg, more than the export price last month,” said Josefine Voraa, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s shellfish manager.
Exports of king crab to the USA in November broke all records, both in terms of volume and value, as 82 tons worth NOK 68 million were sold. This was an increase in volume of 68 per cent, or 33 tons, with frozen king crab accounting for the greatest growth, according to Voraa. In value, the increase was as much as 238 per cent, or NOK 48 million, compared with November last year.
“There is little crab in the market now, and many importers want to secure crab for the Christmas season. Low supply and high demand means that prices are very strong. The export price of frozen king crab to the USA in November approached NOK 940 per kg. This is double the price in November last year,” reported Anne-Kristine Øen, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s envoy to the USA.
Positive Development in Prawn Market
Norwegian prawn export volume increased 32 per cent to 434 tons in November, as value advanced by NOK 7 million, or 10 per cent, compared with the same month last year. Sweden, the United Kingdom and Iceland were the largest markets, with demand in Iceland’s industrial sector accounting for much of the spike.
“Exports of frozen, peeled prawn are on a par with last year, but the positive growth we have seen in the UK continued in November, with an increase in volume and value of 108 per cent and 130 per cent, respectively. The increase was driven by good demand for processed prawn products for the restaurant and domestic market,” said Voraa.
