New record for Norwegian seafood exports in first quarter 2015

In the first quarter of 2015, Norway exported seafood worth NOK 17.4 billion. This represents an increase of 3 per cent or NOK 445 million compared to the first quarter of 2014. In March, seafood was exported for NOK 6.4 billion – an increase of 13 per cent or NOK 741 million year-on-year.

"March delivered a new sales record, making the first quarter of 2015 the best ever for Norwegian seafood exports. This is despite weaker exports in the first two months of the year, compared to the strongest months of 2014. The strong cod price is one reason for these results. After a late start to this year's spawning season, marked by bad weather and a lot of time spent ashore, there has been a great deal of fishing activity in the period around Easter. This is confirmed by the increased quantities of exported Norwegian cod. In addition, salmon has had a strong quarter, partly benefiting from the weaker Norwegian krone against currencies like the Euro and the US dollar", says Geir Bakkevoll, Communications Director at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Salmon exports increased
Norway exported salmon worth a total of NOK 11.2 billion in the first quarter of 2015. This represents an increase of 5 per cent, or NOK 536 million, compared to the first quarter in 2014. In March, Norway exported salmon worth NOK 4.2 billion – an increase of 14 per cent or NOK 533 million year-on-year. The average price achieved for whole fresh Norwegian salmon was NOK 41.48 per kg in March, compared to NOK 43.91 per kg in March 2014. Poland and France were the biggest importers of Norwegian salmon.

Norway exported trout for NOK 460 million in the first quarter of 2015. This represents a decrease of 26 per cent, or NOK 165 million compared to the first quarter last year. In March, Norway exported trout for a total of NOK 181 million. This represents a decrease of 18 per cent or NOK 41 million compared to March last year. The main purchasers of Norwegian trout are Belarus and Poland.

Increased sales of fresh cod but decreased sales of frozen cod

The export value of fresh cod, including fillets, totalled NOK 869 million in the first quarter. This represents an increase of 14 per cent or NOK 108 million compared to the first quarter of 2014. In March, fresh cod was exported for NOK 381 million. This represents a growth of 48 per cent, or NOK 124 million, compared to the same month last year.

The export value of frozen cod, including fillets, reached a total of NOK 456 million in the first quarter. This represents a decrease of 30 per cent or NOK 196 million compared to the first quarter in 2014. In March, Norway exported frozen cod, including fillets, worth NOK 163 million – a decrease of 13 per cent or NOK 24 million year-on-year.

Increased sales of clipfish, decreased sales of saltfish

The export value of clipfish totalled NOK 989 million in the first quarter. This is an increase of 15 per cent or NOK 128 million compared to the first quarter in 2014. The export volume fell by 3,570 tonnes to 22,103 tonnes in the first quarter. In March, Norway exported clipfish for NOK 264 million – an increase of 11 per cent or NOK 27 million year-on-year.

The export value of saltfish was a total of NOK 342 million in the first quarter. This represents a decrease of 6 per cent or NOK 23 million compared to the first quarter of 2014. The export volume fell by 4,000 tonnes to 9,114 tonnes in the first quarter. In March, Norway exported saltfish worth NOK 206 million – an increase of 5 per cent or NOK 9 million year-on-year.

Herring exports down, mackerel exports up

The export value of herring was a total of NOK 498 million in the first quarter. This represents a decrease of 31 per cent or NOK 220 million compared to the first quarter of 2014. In March, Norway exported herring to a value of NOK 123 million. This represents a decrease of 14 per cent or NOK 20 million compared with March last year. Lithuania and Poland are the largest export markets for herring.

The export value of mackerel reached a total of NOK 544 million in the first quarter. This represents a decrease of 17 per cent or NOK 111 million compared to the first quarter of 2014. In March, Norway exported mackerel worth NOK 113 million. This is an increase of 5 per cent or NOK 5 million compared to March 2014. China and Turkey are the most important markets for mackerel.