So far this year, seafood exports have totalled NOK 99 billion, matching the full-year figure from 2018 © Shutterstock
Strong aquaculture exports, particularily of salmon, and rising demand from China were key contributors.
"Seafood exports have had a historically strong July in terms of value. This is primarily due to high salmon volumes and impressive value growth to China," said Christian Chramer, chief executive officer of the NSC, in a press release.
China emerges as top growth market
China recorded the highest value growth in July, up NOK 613 million, or 88 percent, to a total of NOK 1.3 billion. Salmon was the main contributor, with exports increasing 80 percent to NOK 763.9 million. Other notable species included Greenland halibut and redfish. Norway’s salmon market share in China reached 71 percent in June, the highest in 15 years.
“Salmon is the main driver of export value to China. A combination of record-high available volumes, lower prices and new emerging sales channels in the Chinese market contributed to the positive trend continuing in July. China is now the largest growth market for Norwegian salmon so far this year," explained Chramer.
Salmon Leads Overall Export Growth
Salmon exports reached 136,054 tonnes in July – an increase of 28 percent in volume – with a total value of NOK 10.2 billion, up 8 percent. Favourable production conditions helped lift output. Poland, the USA and the Netherlands were the largest markets.
"Despite the fact that world trade is experiencing demanding times and competition in the market is tough, seafood from Norway has a strong global position. This is also true in the middle of summer," said Chramer.
Trout also saw gains, with exports rising 11 percent in value to NOK 697 million and 20 percent in volume. Lithuania led growth with a 45 percent rise in value.
Fisheries exports see mixed results
Exports of king crab increased by 46 percent to NOK 118 million, while snow crab rose sharply to NOK 112 million. Prawn exports grew 24 percent in value, despite a 12 percent drop in volume, driven mainly by surging Chinese demand.
Cod exports presented a mixed picture: fresh cod value rose 6 percent despite a volume decline, while frozen cod saw a 33 percent value jump. Clipfish and stockfish exports declined in both value and volume, reflecting quota pressures and reduced raw material access.
