Another record for Norwegian seafood exports in H1 2018

Never before have Norwegian seafood exports reached the record levels achieved during the first half of 2018. EU markets have seen strong growth in demand, and this has contributed to record-breaking export values for several species, making the first six months of the year the best ever for Norwegian seafood exports.

Norway exported 1.4 million tonnes of seafood with a value of NOK 48.1 billion in the first half of 2018. This is an increase of 10 per cent in volume and a 4 per cent increase in export value, at NOK 1.8 billion, compared with the first half of 2017.

- The first half of 2018 has set yet another record for Norwegian seafood exports. Although the figures are largely driven by salmon exports, we are also seeing the best half-yearly results for cod, saithe and haddock, says Paul Aandahl, Analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

- The main reason for the value added by salmon is increased demand from the EU. We are seeing a clear increase in consumption of fresh salmon in markets such as France, the UK and Italy. Reduced domestic supplies of salmon in the EU and strong Euro and British currencies have also contributed positively, says Aandahl.

In June, Norway exported 180,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 7.9 billion. Volume was down by 9 per cent, while the gain in value was NOK 274 million, or 4 per cent, compared with June last year.

Salmon grows in both export value and export volume

Norway exported 485,000 tonnes of salmon with a value of NOK 32.6 billion in the first half of 2018. Export volumes grew by 8 per cent during the first half year, while there was an increase in value of 4 per cent, or NOK 1.1 billion, compared with the first half year in 2017. The countries that bought the most Norwegian salmon in the first half were Poland, France and Denmark.

- Strong volume growth over the last few months is the biggest contribution to the value added, says Aandahl.

In June, 86,000 tonnes of salmon were exported with a total value of NOK 5.6 billion. This is an increase in volume of 17 per cent, while the export value increased by NOK 333 million, or 6 per cent, compared to June last year. The average price for whole fresh salmon in June was NOK 61.79 per kg, compared to NOK 68.64 per kg in June 2017.

Growth for trout exports

Norway exported 20,900 tonnes of trout with a total value of NOK 1.4 billion in the first half of the year. This is an increase in volume of 27 per cent while the value increased by NOK 91 million, or 7 per cent, from the first half of last year. The largest trout buyers from Norway in the first half were Belarus, the United States and Japan.

3,200 tonnes of trout were exported with a value of NOK 234 million in June. This is an increase in volume of 17 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 10 million, or 4 per cent, compared with June last year.

Growth for both fresh and frozen cod

Norway exported 50,800 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillets, worth a total of NOK 1.8 billion in the first half of 2018. This is a decrease of 5 per cent while the export value increased by NOK 45 million, or 2 per cent, compared with the first half of 2017.

In June, 3,200 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillets, were exported with a value of NOK 118 million. This is a 19 per cent decrease, while the value fell by NOK 17 million, or 12 per cent, compared with June last year.

- Measured in Norwegian kroner we have never had a stronger half-year for fresh cod. With reduced cod quotas this year, it is the price of fresh whole cod that has driven the value increase in the category, says Analyst Ingrid Kristine Pettersen at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Norway exported 39,000 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillets, worth a total of NOK 1.4 billion in the first half of 2018. Volume is at the same level as the first half of last year, while the value has increased by NOK 138 million, or 11 per cent, in the first half of 2018.

In June, 6,200 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillets, were exported with a value of NOK 249 million. This is an increase in volume of 21 per cent while export values increased by NOK 72 million, or 40 per cent, compared with June last year.

Record values for clipfish and salted fish

Norway exported 42,600 tonnes of clipfish with a value of NOK 1.9 billion during the first half of the year. This is an increase in volume of 2 per cent while the value increased by NOK 85 million or 5 per cent compared to the first half of 2017. In June, 6,900 tonnes of clipfish were exported with a value of NOK 337 million, a decrease in volume of 14 per cent while export value fell by NOK 59 million, or 15 percent, compared with June 2017.

21,200 tonnes of salted fish were exported with a total value of NOK 1.1 billion during the first half of 2018. This represents a 5 per cent increase in volume while the export value increased by NOK 158 million or 18 per cent compared to the first half of 2017. In June, 3,500 tonnes of salted fish were exported with a value of NOK 166 million. This is an increase in volume of 20 per cent while export values increased by NOK 39 million or 31 per cent compared to June 2017.

- Large volumes of saithe clipfish, combined with strong price growth in the whole category of salted whole fish and codfish, with 12 and 14 per cent respectively, means that we are seeing a record half year for saltfish and clipfish. Price inflation is driven by reduced availability, a weak Norwegian kroner and robust demand in key markets, says Pettersen.

Reductions for herring and mackerel

Norway exported 138,000 tonnes of herring with a value of NOK 1.2 billion in the first half of 2018. This is an increase in volume of 3 per cent, while the export value fell by NOK 174 million, or 12 per cent, compared with the first half of 2017. Germany, Poland and Lithuania were the largest markets for herring in this period.

In June, 23,000 tonnes of herring were exported with a value of NOK 231 million. June saw a drop in volume of 35 per cent, while the export value fell by NOK 71 million, or 24 per cent, compared with June last year.

- With increased volumes in recent years, we are seeing lower prices as a result of continuing lack of market access to Russia, historically our most important herring market, says Aandahl.

Norway exported 78,000 tonnes of mackerel with a value of NOK 1 billion in the first half of the year. This represents a 19 per cent decrease, while the export value fell by NOK 194 million, or 16 per cent, compared with the first half of 2017. Japan, South Korea and China were the most important markets for mackerel in this period.

In June, 6,900 tonnes of mackerel were exported with a total value of NOK 96 million. This is a reduction of 23 per cent in volume, while export value fell by NOK 31 million, or 24 per cent, from June last year.

Down for king crab, growth in prawn exports

Norway exported 679 tonnes of king crab worth a total of NOK 195 million in the first half of the year. This represents a decrease of 4 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 3 million, or 2 per cent, compared with the first half of 2017.

For prawns, export volumes increased by 12 percent to total of 4,600 tonnes, while the export value increased by 23 per cent or NOK 69 million to a total export value of NOK 373 million in the first half of 2018.

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