Norwegian seafood exports grow by 6% in Feb 2017

Norway exported 196,000 tonnes of seafood to a total value of NOK 7.5 billion in February. This represents a volume decrease of 19 per cent and an increase by value of NOK 448 million or 6 per cent compared with February last year.

”Salmon prices fell slightly in February, but the average price of NOK 64.11 per kg was still NOK 9 higher than February last year. A little later cod seepage caused the volumes to be reduced in February as well, although here too, prices were higher than in the same month last year. The export value of Norwegian clipfish increased in February. Easter and Christmas are traditionally the peak months for Norwegian clipfish in Portugal and Brazil. Due to the late Easter, clipfish exports were increased to Brazil in February. There is also a cautious optimism about purchasing power in Brazil. This is gratifying for the Norwegian clipfish industry," says communications director Geir Håvard Hanssen Norwegian Seafood Council.

So far this year Norway exported 374,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 15.1 billion. The decline in volume is 59,000 tonnes, while growth by value NOK 1.3 billion.

Increases for salmon

Norway exported 72,800 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 4.9 billion in February.

”The total volume of salmon exports in February were the same as in February last year. Exports to the EU fell by 3,900 tonnes, while the total decline by volume was 800 tonnes. Salmon exports to the United States accounted for increased exports to non-EU countries,” says Hanssen.

The value of exports of Norwegian Salmon increased by NOK 692 million or 16 per cent compared with February last year. So far this year Norway exported 142,000 tonnes of salmon with a value of NOK 10 billion.

While the average price for fresh whole salmon was NOK 55.19 per kg in February 2016, this rose to NOK 64.11 per kg in February 2017. Poland, France and the United States were the biggest importers of Norwegian salmon.

Trout exports decrease

In February, Norway exported 2,500 tonnes of trout with a value of NOK 187 million. Overall volumes fell to 3,700 tonnes, while there was a reduction of 36 per cent or NOK 104 million in export value. So far this year Norway exported 5,100 tonnes of trout with a value of NOK 387 million. Thailand, Belarus and Japan, were the biggest markets for trout in February.

Fresh and frozen cod exports are reduced

12,600 tonnes of fresh cod were exported with a value of NOK 428 million in February. The average price for fresh whole Norwegian Cod increased by 6 per cent from February last year, but the value fell by NOK 13 million or 3 per cent due to a decline in the volume of 1,200 tonnes.

Cod exports totalled 1,900 tonnes, a decrease of 190 tonnes from February last year. The average price of cod increased by 5 per cent, while value fell by 5 per cent to NOK 71 million due to the volume decline. So far this year Norway has exported 2,300 tonnes of cod with a value of NOK 91 million.

In February, Norway exported 6,300 tonnes of frozen cod with a value of NOK 221 million. This is a decrease in volume of 1,000 tonnes, while there was a fall in value of NOK 8 million or 4 per cent. So far this year Norway exported 15,000 tonnes of frozen cod at a value of NOK 486 million.

Growth in clipfish

Clipfish exports amounted to 6,800 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 274 million in February. This represents an increase in volume of 2,000 tonnes, while the value increased by NOK 67 million. So far this year the volume has increased by 2,000 tonnes to a year-to-date total of 15,600 tonnes, while value has increased by NOK 63 million to a total of NOK 642 million.

”In the Brazilian clipfish market, the US dollar exchange rate was favourable to Norwegian exports in February. Brazilian importers are optimistic about Easter sales. Although there are many who are still struggling with the recession in Brazil, we estimate that seafood is likely to remain at a competitive level”, says marketing consultant Vasco Tørrissen Duarte with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Decrease in salted fish exports

In February, some 2,000 tonnes of salted fish were exported with a value of NOK 85 million. Volumes were decreased by 800 tonnes and total export values were reduced by NOK 27 million or 24 per cent. Greece and Portugal were the main markets for salted fish exports in February.

Reduced exports for herring and mackerel

30,500 tonnes of herring were exported with a value of NOK 340 million in February. This represents an increase in volume of 2000 tonnes, while export values fell by NOK 10 million or 3 per cent from February 2016. Germany and Belarus were the main markets for herring in February.

In February, 26,000 tonnes of mackerel were exported with a value of NOK 295 million. Export volumes fell to 5,400 tonnes, while export value fell by NOK 40 million or 12 per cent. China and Ghana was the biggest importer of mackerel in February.

Crab and prawn exports are lower

159 tonnes of king crab were exported with a value of NOK 40 million in February. This is a decrease by volume of 104 tonnes, while the decrease by value was NOK 20 million or 34 per cent.

Prawn experienced a decline in volumes of 24 tonnes to 544 tonnes, while the value of prawn exports fell by NOK 9 million to a total export value of NOK 42 million in February.