So far this year, seafood exports have amounted to NOK 22.6 billion, an increase of NOK 1.7 billion, or eight per cent, compared with last year.
"Seafood exports for the first five months of the year have never been higher than the value reached this year. This growth is primarily due to the high price of salmon, but it is also a result of an increase in the export value of various cod products in May," says Egil Ove Sundheim, Director of Market Information at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Record Salmon Sales
Salmon exports reached NOK 2.6 billion in May, a similar value to that achieved in May last year. So far this year, 2013, salmon exports have totalled NOK 14.5 billion. Compared with the first five months in 2012, this increase is a massive NOK 3.1 billion, or 27 per cent.
In May, the average price of whole, fresh Norwegian salmon was NOK 41.89 compared with NOK 30.15 in May 2012. As with the previous month, France and Poland were the largest purchasers of salmon from Norway.
Trout exports increased by NOK 40 million in May to make a combined value of NOK 172 million. So far this year, trout exports have totalled NOK 843 million, an increase of NOK 145 million compared with 2012. The largest purchasers of trout from Norway are Russia and Belarus.
Herring up, Mackerel Down
Herring exports increased by NOK 23 million in May to a combined value of NOK 169 million. So far this year, herring exports have been worth NOK 1.1 billion, a decrease of NOK 777 million compared with last year. Russia and Germany are the largest markets for herring.
Mackerel sales fell by NOK 70 million in May to a total of NOK 43 million. So far this year, mackerel exports have increased by NOK 415 million to a total of NOK 574 million. The most important markets for mackerel are China and Russia.
Stable Clipfish Exports, Decline in Salted Fish
Clipfish exports were at the same level as in May of last year with an export value of NOK 257 million. Export sales comprise NOK 154 million for cod and NOK 90 million for saithe, representing an increase of NOK 33 million, while the remainder is made up of ling, cusk and other types of white fish.
Exports of salted fish, including fillets, fell by NOK 11 million in May and ended up totalling NOK 101 million. NOK 98 million of the above comprised cod.
Increase in Fresh and Frozen Cod
Exports of fresh cod from fisheries, including fillets, increased by NOK 49 million in May to a total export value of NOK 101 million. In May, frozen cod exports, including fillets, increased by NOK 55 million to a total of NOK 160 million.
