New Norwegian seafood export record for July

Norway exported 159,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 7.1 billion in July. Year-on-year growth by volume was 8 per cent, while export value increased by 7 per cent or NOK 2.2 billion from July 2017. So far this year, Norway has exported 1.6 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK 55.2 billion. Export volumes have increased by 11 per cent, and the value has increased by 4 per cent or NOK 2.2 billion from the same period last year.

Seafood exports fluctuate by season and usually July is the weakest export month. The biggest seasonal variations are for fisheries. For the fisheries, July 2018 was the second highest July month ever, with an export value of NOK 1.5 billion. This is 5 per cent higher than last year, and 9 per cent lower than the July 2015 record. For aquaculture, exports totaled NOK 5.5 billion, which is also a record for July. 78 per cent of total seafood exports in July came from aquaculture.

“Growth in the export volume of salmon in July, coupled with continued high salmon prices, produced record export values for this month”, says Paul T. Aandahl, Seafood Analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

NOK 5.3 billion in salmon exports

Norway exported 88,000 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 5.3 billion in July. This is a volume increase of 20 per cent or 15,000 tonnes and a value increase of 7 per cent or NOK 344 million compared to July 2017. So far this year, Norway has exported 572,000 tonnes of salmon to a value of NOK 37.8 billion. Export volumes have increased 9 per cent, while export value increased by 4 per cent or NOK 1.4 billion from the same period last year. The average price for whole fresh salmon in July was NOK 56.45 per kg compared against NOK 64.11 per kg in July last year. Poland and France were the largest salmon markets in July.

Trout exports increased by 28 per cent

Norway exported 3,350 tonnes of trout worth NOK 213 million in July. This is a volume increase of 65 per cent or 1,300 tonnes and a 28 per cent increase in value, or NOK 47 million compared with July 2017. So far this year, Norway has exported 24,000 tonnes of trout with an export value of NOK 1.6 billion. This is a volume growth of 30 per cent or 5,600 tonnes and a value increase of 8 per cent or NOK 124 million from the same period last year. Belarus and the United States were our largest trout markets in July.

Fresh cod exports are up, frozen cod is down

Norway exported 2,600 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillet, worth NOK 83 million in July. This is a volume increase of 118 tonnes or 5 per cent and a 10 per cent increase in value or NOK 8 million compared to July last year. Denmark and Spain were the largest markets for fresh cod in July.

So far this year, Norway has exported 53,000 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillet, totalling NOK 1.9 billion. This is a volume decline of 2,600 tonnes or 5 per cent and a value increase of 3 per cent or NOK 154 million compared to the same period last year.

"We are still seeing an increase in exports of fresh cod outside of the main season, much of the explanation is due to the fresh fish system and live storage. Despite the fact that the price fell a little in July, the average price achieved for fresh whole cod is 9 per cent higher this year compared with the same period in 2017”, says Ingrid Kristine Pettersen, Seafood Analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Norway exported 3,900 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillet, to a value of NOK 155 million in July. This is a volume decline of 2,980 tonnes or 43 per cent and a decline of 29 per cent or NOK 64 million compared to July 2017. So far this year, Norway has exported 43,000 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillet, for NOK 1.6 billion. There is a volume decline of 2,365 tonnes or 5 per cent and a value increase of 5 per cent or NOK 76 million from the same period last year. China and the UK were the largest frozen cod markets in July.

Increase in clipfish and salted fish exports

Norway exported 5,300 tonnes of whole clipfish totalling NOK 227 million in July. This is a volume increase of 198 tonnes or 4 per cent, and a value increase of NOK 3 million from July last year. So far this year, Norway has exported 48 000 tonnes of whole clipfish worth NOK 2.2 billion. This is a volume increase of 1,000 tonnes or 2 per cent and a value increase of 4 per cent or NOK 87 million from the same period last year. Portugal and Brazil were the largest clipfish markets in July.

Norway exported 1,500 tonnes of salted fish for NOK 65 million in July. This is a volume increase of 272 tonnes or 22 per cent and a 24 per cent increase by value or NOK 13 million compared with July last year. So far this year, Norway has exported 22,600 tonnes of salted fish for NOK 1.1 billion. This is a volume increase of 1,200 tonnes or 6 per cent, and a value increase of 18 per cent or NOK 167 million from the same period last year. Portugal and Italy were the largest salted fish markets in July.

Increase in dried fish exports

Norway exported 291 tonnes of whole dried fish worth NOK 26 million kroner in July. This is a volume increase of 55 per cent and a value increase of NOK 8 million or 44 per cent from the same month in 2017. So far this year, Norway has exported 2,360 tonnes of dried fish for NOK 327 million. This is a volume increase of 325 tonnes or 16 per cent and a value increase of NOK 57 million or 21 per cent from the same period last year. Nigeria and Italy were the largest dried fish markets in July.

Reduced herring exports

Norway exported 11 000 tonnes of herring worth NOK 107 million in July. This is a volume decline of 27 per cent or 4,151 tonnes and a decline in export value of 32 per cent or NOK 51 million compared with July 2017. So far this year, Norway has exported 159,000 tonnes of herring to a value of NOK 1.4 billion. This is a volume increase of 6 per cent or 9,000 tonnes, and a value decline of 12 per cent or NOK 186 million from the same period last year. The Netherlands and Poland were the largest markets for herring in July.

Increases for king crab and prawns exports

Norway exported 270 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 78 million in July. This is a volume increase of 106 tonnes or 64 per cent and a value increase of NOK 34 million or 80 per cent compared with July 2017. So far this year, Norway has exported 946 tonnes of king crab totalling NOK 273 million. This is a volume increase of 9 per cent or 79 tonnes, and a value increase of 16 per cent or NOK 38 million. South Korea and the United States were the most important king crab markets in July

Norway exported 670 tonnes of prawns worth NOK 51 million in July. This is an increase of 26 tonnes or 4 per cent, while export value increased by NOK 2.7 million or 6 per cent. So far this year, Norway has exported 5,250 tonnes of prawns worth NOK 425 million. This is a volume increase of 11 per cent or 515 tonnes, and a value increase of 20 per cent or NOK 72 million. Sweden and Finland were the most important prawns markets in July.