”Norwegian seafood exports are booming. By volume, exports are slightly down during the first four months of this year, but by value we see a gain of NOK 5.9 billion compared with the same period last year. This is due to strong demand and high prices for Norwegian seafood, combined with a continuing favourable currency situation,” says Communications Director Geir Håvard Hanssen with the Norwegian Seafood Council.
”Salmon and trout have been the main contributors to strong export growth. Salmon has seen average prices of NOK 56.81 per kilo so far this year, compared with an average price of NOK 41.89 per kilo in the same period last year. We have seen strong numbers for April, an increase of 35 per cent year-on-year. Part of the explanation for this is the early Easter holiday and so less holidays during the April month, compared with last year,” said Hanssen.
Salmon and trout increases
Salmon exports were worth NOK 18.2 billion during the first four months of 2016. This is an increase of 25 per cent, or NOK 3.7 billion compared to the same period last year. In April, exports of salmon were NOK 4.9 billion. This is an increase of 40 per cent or NOK 1.4 billion compared with April 2015. The average price achieved for whole fresh Norwegian salmon in April was NOK 57.39 per kilo, compared with NOK 39.89 per kilo in April 2015. Poland and France were the biggest buyers of Norwegian salmon during the first quarter.
Trout exports totalled NOK 1.3 billion, an increase of 117 per cent or NOK 704 million compared to the first four months of 2015. Exports of trout amounted to NOK 405 million in April. An increase of 174 per cent or NOK 257 million compared to April 2015. Year to date, the biggest buyers of Norwegian trout were Belarus and Japan.
Increased exports of fresh and frozen cod
Year-to-date exports of fresh cod, including fillets, were worth NOK 1.4 billion. An increase of 20 per cent or NOK 230 million. In April, exports of fresh cod, including fillets, were NOK 315 million. This represents growth of 14 per cent or NOK 40 million compared to April last year.
Frozen cod, including fillets totalled NOK 925 million. An increase of 54 per cent or NOK 326 million. In April, frozen cod exports, including fillets, totalled NOK 228 million, an increase of 43 per cent or NOK 69 million compared with April 2015.
Clipfish down, but salted fish exports increase
So far this year, exports of clipfish have totalled NOK 1.1 billion. A decrease of 9 per cent or NOK 104 million. In April, exports of clipfish were worth NOK 256 million, an increase of 31 per cent or NOK 61 million compared with April 2015.
Salted fish exports totalled NOK 695 million, an increase of 16 per cent or NOK 95 million. In April, exports of salted fish were worth NOK 256 million. This is at the same level as April 2015.
Exports of herring and mackerel both rise
During the first four months of this year, herring exports totalled NOK 980 million. An increase of 71 per cent or NOK 406 million compared to April 2015. In the same month, exports of herring totalled NOK 126 million. An increase of 60 per cent or NOK 47 million compared to April 2015. Poland and Germany were the biggest markets for herring.
Mackerel exports totalled NOK 931 million. An increase of 50 per cent or NOK 310 million. In April, mackerel exports reached NOK 160 million. An increase of 99 per cent or NOK 80 million compared to April 2015. Japan and Nigeria were the largest export markets.
