Norway´s seafood exports total NOK 69 billion year-to-date

Despite a decline in seafood exports in September, Norway has exported 1.8 million tonnes of seafood with a value of NOK 69 billion so far this year. This is a volume increase of 3 per cent, and a value increase of 6 per cent or NOK 3.7 billion measured against the same period last year.

In September Norway exported 189,000 tonnes of seafood worth a total of NOK 8 billion. This is a drop in volume of 18 per cent, while the value fell by 8 percent or NOK 681 million from the same month last year.

"While the value of salmon exports in September was at the same level as last year, we see a decline in exports of herring and mackerel in particular. Some of this is due to natural seasonal fluctuations”, says Director Asbjørn W. Rørtveit from the Norwegian Seafood Council.

"So far this year, Norway has exported seafood worth NOK 69 billion. For the first nine months of the year, the value added has been NOK 3.7 billion and in order to reach NOK 100 billion in 2017, the value added for the last three months of the year must be NOK 4.75 billion, which is unlikely”, says Rørtveit.

Salmon exports 10% above 2016 levels

So far this year, Norway has exported 711,000 tonnes of salmon worth some NOK 48 billion. This is on the same level as last year, while the value has increased by 10 per cent or NOK 4.2 billion from the same period last year.

Norway has exported 97,300 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 5.8 billion in September. This is a volume decline of 2 per cent, while the value is at the same level as September last year. The average price for whole fresh salmon in September was NOK 55.47 per kg, NOK 1.12 per kg higher than the same month last year. So far this year, Poland and France have bought the most salmon from Norway.

Norway has exported 26,000 tonnes of trout with a value of NOK 2 billion so far this year. This is a volume decline of 53 per cent, while the value fell by 33 per cent or NOK 988 million compared with the same period last year. In September Norway exported 3,800 tonnes of trout for NOK 257 million. This is a decrease in volume of 41 per cent, while the value fell by 30 per cent or NOK 113 million. So far this year, Poland and Germany have imported the most trout from Norway.

Rise in exports for fresh and frozen cod

So far this year, Norway has exported 60,000 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillet, with a value of NOK 2 billion. This is a volume increase of 8 per cent, while the value increased by 10 per cent or NOK 179 million compared with the same period last year.

Norway has exported 1,500 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillet, with a value of NOK 53 million in September. This is a volume increase of 3 per cent, while the value fell by 6 per cent or NOK 3 million compared with the same month last year.

So far this year, Norway has exported 59,000 tonnes of frozen cod including the fillet worth a total of NOK 1.9 billion. The volume is at the same level as last year, while the value increased by 5 per cent or NOK 87 million.

“Traditionally, most of the frozen whole whitefish exported to China has been filleted and then sent back to Europe, but it is gratifying to see that growing volumes of Norwegian cod are also being consumed in China”, says Sigmund Bjørgo representative in China for the Norwegian Seafood Council.  

Norway has exported 5,700 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillet, for NOK 184 million in September. This is a volume decline of 14 per cent, while the value fell by 11 per cent or NOK 23 million from September last year.

Clipfish exports are down in September

So far this year, Norway has exported 63,000 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 2.9 billion. This is an increase of 14 per cent, while the value increased by 11 per cent or NOK 284 million from the same period last year. In September Norway has exported 9,000 tonnes of clipfish to a value of NOK 417 million. There is a volume decline of 9 per cent, while the value fell by 9 per cent or NOK 39 million from September last year.

“Normally, Christmas exports of stockfish to Italy and clipfish to Portugal and Brazil begin in the autumn. However, the month of September saw a decline in exports of these products, with the exception of clipfish exports to Brazil. In the last quarter of this year, whole clipfish and frozen whole whitefish will be the biggest sources of export value in the whitefish category”, says analyst Ingrid Kristine Pettersen from the Norwegian Seafood Council.

So far this year, Norway has exported 24,000 tonnes of salted fish to a value of NOK 1 billion. This is a volume decline of 6 per cent, while export value remains at the same level as last year. In September, Norway exported 1,300 tonnes of salted fish to a value of NOK 55 million. There was a volume decline of 17 per cent, while the value fell by 10 per cent or NOK 6 million.

Down for herring and mackerel

So far this year, Norway has exported 180,000 tonnes of herring with an export value of NOK 1.9 billion. This represents a volume decline of 15 per cent and a decrease in export value of 8 per cent or NOK 164 million. In September Norway exported 12,000 tonnes of herring worth a total of NOK 140 million. This is a volume decline of 42 per cent, while the value fell by 51 per cent or NOK 148 million.

So far this year, Norway has exported 135,000 tonnes of mackerel totalling NOK 1.7 billion. This is a volume decline of 10 per cent, while the value fell by 7 per cent or NOK 120 million. In September, Norway has exported 27,000 tonnes of mackerel worth a total of NOK 330 million. There is a volume decline of 30 per cent, while the value fell by 39 per cent or NOK 215 million.

“Mackerel prices in September were significantly lower than in the same month last year. However, with a proposal to sharply reduce the north-east Atlantic Mackerel quota for next year, we expect to see an increase in prices beyond the season. Norway is responsible for about a quarter of the mackerel quota, which in turn accounts for roughly one third of the total Atlantic and Pacific mackerel catches of nearly three million tonnes annually", says analyst Kristin Lien from the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Red King Crab exports have declined

So far this year, Norway has exported 38,000 tonnes of shellfish with an export value of NOK 1.3 billion. This is a volume decline of 5 per cent and a value decline of 11 per cent. In September Norway exported 1, 500 tonnes of shellfish worth NOK 158 million. This is a volume decline of 56 per cent and a 8 per cent decline in value.

So far this year, Norway has exported 1,400 tonnes of red king crab totalling NOK 385 million. This is a volume decline of 17 per cent, while export value fell by 5 per cent or NOK 21 million.