Explosive growth in value of Norwegian seafood exports in July

The value of Norwegian seafood exports amounted to NOK 9.5 billion in July. This is an increase of NOK 1.6 billion, or 21 per cent, compared to July 2020.

"Measured by value, this July is the best ever for Norwegian seafood exports. Salmon continues its growth trajectory from June, while we have also experienced a sharp increase in exports of snow crab and king crab," says Tom-Jørgen Gangsø, Director of Market Insight and Market Access with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

So far this year, seafood exports totalled NOK 63.3 billion, which is a whopping 9 per cent over the same period last year.

"There are fewer restrictions related to the pandemic in a number of markets this summer when compared to last year. This has a positive effect on the demand for healthy, sustainable and tasty seafood from Norway," says Tom-Jørgen Gangsø.

Growth in salmon exports

• 103,100 tonnes of salmon were exported worth NOK 6.9 billion in July.
• Export volume increased by 10 per cent.
• Export value increased by NOK 1.3 billion, or 24 per cent, compared to July last year.
• Poland, Denmark, and France were the largest markets for Norwegian salmon in July.

"We have never seen a stronger July month for salmon exports, either in volume or value. Increased tourism and a gradual reopening of the restaurant sector have increased demand for salmon compared to July last year," says Paul Aandahl, Seafood Analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

"China has been the most significant growth market for salmon in July, but this must be compared to a relatively weak July month last year," Aandahl continues.

Trout exports also growing

• 6,200 tonnes of trout were exported worth NOK 381 million in July.
• Volume fell by 13 per cent.
• Export value increased by NOK 36 million, or 11 per cent, compared to July last year.
• Belarus, Ukraine, and Thailand were the largest markets for Norwegian trout in July.

Gains for fresh cod

• Norway exported 2,300 tonnes of fresh cod worth NOK 92 million in July.
• Export volume was up by 26 per cent.
• Export value increased by NOK 8 million, or 10 per cent, compared to July last year.
• Denmark, Germany, and Sweden were the largest markets for fresh cod from Norway in July.

A drop in value for frozen cod

• Norway exported 5,000 tonnes of frozen cod worth NOK 193 million in July.
• This represents a 14 per cent reduction in volume.
• The export value fell by NOK 45 million, or 19 per cent, compared to July last year.
• China, the UK and the Netherlands were the largest markets for frozen cod from Norway in July.

Clip fish exports increase

• Norway exported 6 300 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 309 million in July.
• This is a 39 per cent increase in volume.
• Export value increased by NOK 83 million, or 37 per cent, compared to July last year.
• Portugal, Brazil and Congo-Brazzaville were the largest markets for Norwegian clip fish in July.

“In July, 1,177 tonnes of clip fish were exported to Africa (Angola, Congo Brazzaville and DR Congo) compared with 606 tonnes in 2020, almost doubling our export volume. At the same time, the value of exports has also doubled, compared with the same period last year, with NOK 38.9 million in July this year compared with NOK 19.5 million in 2020, says Seafood Envoy to Africa, Trond Kostveit.

"Most of the exports of saithe clip fish go to Congo Brazzaville and the increase is due to a generally good demand for Norwegian clip fish and shows that the economy of the countries has improved after last year's shutdown," Kostveit says.

Salted fish exports rise

• Norway exported 1,100 tonnes of salt fish worth NOK 63 million in July.
• This represents a 27 per cent increase in volume.
• The value increased by NOK 18 million, or 40 per cent, compared to July last year.
• Portugal, Italy, and Greece were the largest markets for Norwegian salt fish in July.

Stockfish exports remain stable

• Norway exported 246 tonnes of stockfish worth NOK 36 million in July.
• This is an 18 per cent increase in volume.
• Export value remains at the same level as in July last year.
• Italy, Nigeria and the US were the largest markets for Norwegian stockfish in July.

Herring exports also holding steady

• Norway exported 11,000 tonnes of herring worth NOK 147 million in July.
• Export volume fell by 3 per cent.
• Export value is at the same level as July last year.
• Germany, Poland and the Netherlands were the largest markets for Norwegian herring in July.

“June and July are the high season for export of herring to the Netherlands. This year's season has been described as perfectly satisfactory by exporters, and figures show that exports of frozen herring to the Netherlands in June and July were 12 000 tonnes, an increase of 16 % from last year (10,300 tonnes). Total export value was NOK 141 million, an increase of 17% compared to last year," says Jan Eirik Johnsen, Head of Pelagic Species with the Norwegian Seafood Council

Up for mackerel

• Norway exported 11 400 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 173 million in July.
• There is a 54 per cent increase in volume.
• Export value increased by NOK 11 million, or 32 per cent, compared to July last year.
• Egypt, Vietnam and Ghana were the largest markets for Norwegian mackerel in July.

“In the last two months, there has been good coastal fishing of mackerel around Lofoten. This mackerel is sought after in markets where mackerel is smoked, which has resulted in increased exports to Egypt and Ghana, among others. Access to mackerel around Lofoten varies considerably from year to year. In June and July this year, a total of 12 000 tonnes of mackerel were landed, compared with 7 200 tonnes in the same period last year, an increase of 65%”, says Jan Eirik Johnsen, Head of Pelagic Species with the Norwegian Seafood Council

Adventurous growth for king crab

• Norway exported 280 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 122 million in July.
• This represents a 38 per cent increase in volume.
• Export value increased by NOK 55 million, or 81 per cent, compared to July last year.
• South Korea, Hong Kong SAR and the United States were the largest markets for Norwegian king crab in July.

This is the second strongest export month for king crabs ever, only beaten by July 2018, where the value of exports was NOK 132 million.

An upswing in exports for prawns

• 703 tonnes of prawns worth NOK 55 million were exported in July.
• This is a 24 per cent increase in volume.
• Export value increased by NOK 13 million, or 31 per cent, compared to July last year.
• Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom were the largest markets for Norwegian prawns in July.

A record month for snow crab

• 906 tonnes of snow crab were exported worth NOK 213 million in July.
• This is the strongest export month for snow crabs ever. The previous record was set in June, with an export value of NOK 169 million.
• This represents a 33 per cent increase in volume.
• The value increased by NOK 112 million, or 111 per cent, compared to July last year.
• The US, Denmark and the Netherlands were the largest markets for Norwegian snow crabs in July.

Growth continues for the entire shellfish category in July.

"Exports of crab have increased to Europe, Asia and North America. When we find that prawns also have a good month, the month of July has the highest value for the shellfish category ever with values of just under NOK 406 million," says Paul Aandahl with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The previous record from June was 9 per cent or NOK 35 million.

“Snow crab is a hit in grocery stores in the United States. Americans have learned to cook shellfish at home, and this is clearly helping the market to grow. In addition, we can point to good fishing, increased quotas on snow crabs and increased demand for Norwegian shellfish as an explanation for the strong growth," says Aandahl.