Increased exports of pelagic fish in 2014

Norway exported pelagic fish worth NOK 7.5 billion in 2014. This is an increase of 9 per cent year-on-year. 

Norway exported mackerel worth NOK 4.1 billion in 2014. This is a new export record for mackerel and represents an increase of 43 per cent from 2013. Herring exports were worth NOK 2.7 billion in 2014, a decrease of 14 per cent from 2013.

Japan is the largest export market for pelagic fish in 2014, followed by China and the Netherlands.

”Increased export value is the result of higher mackerel quotas and improved demand for mackerel in the markets”, says senior analyst Kristin Lien at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

”Exports of mackerel to Asia have increased due to strong performances in markets such as China, Japan and South Korea. In addition, exports to Nigeria have also increased.

The decline in herring exports was mainly due to reduced quotas as well as the Russian import ban which was introduced in August 2014. Strong demand from other markets and the resiliance and adaptability of Norwegian seafood exporters has largely offset this reduction”, says Lien.

China is the largest mackerel importer

China was the largest importer of Norwegian mackerel in 2014, importing NOK 821 million by value. This is an increase of 44 per cent from 2013. Most Norwegian mackerel which is exported to China undergoes further processing and is exported to Japan, its final destination.

Direct exports to Japan increased 17 per cent from 2013 ending at NOK 809 million. Overall, more than 40 per cent of mackerel exported from Norway, ends up being consumed in Japan. Nigeria, South Korea and the Netherlands follow Japan on the list of largest export markets for mackerel.

388,000 tonnes of frozen whole mackerel were exported in 2014, an increase of 60 per cent on 2013 totals. The average price of frozen whole mackerel was NOK 10.22 per kg in 2014. This represents a decrease of 9 per cent from 2013 average prices.

Germany is the largest herring market

Germany was the biggest market for Norwegian herring in 2014. Norway exported herring worth NOK 365 million to Germany in 2014. Further herring exports worth NOK 356 million were sold to Lithuania, NOK 349 million to Russia and NOK 286 million in sales of herring to the Ukrainian market.

Ukraine is the largest market for frozen whole herring

138,000 tonnes of frozen whole herring were exported in 2014, a decrease of 37 per cent from 2013. The average price of frozen whole herring in 2014 was NOK 7.09 per kg, a decrease of 2 per cent from the 2013 average price.

The largest market for frozen whole herring in 2014 was Ukraine which imported 35,000 tonnes, which is 4 per cent less than in 2013. The second largest market was Russia with 31,000 tonnes, 58 per cent less than the year before. Then follows Lithuania with 26 000 tonnes, 29 per cent less than the year before.

Germany the largest market for frozen herring fillet products

Norway exported 109 000 tonnes of frozen herring fillet products in 2014. This is 5 per cent more than in 2013. The average price of frozen herring fillet products was NOK 11.92 per kg, 2 per cent lower than in 2013.

The largest market for frozen herring fillet products in 2014 is Germany which imported 31,000 tonnes, 14 per cent more than in 2013. In second place was Poland with 20,000 tonnes, 16 per cent up on its 2013 total, and Lithuania which imported 14 000 tonnes, some 37 per cent more than the year before.