Norwegian codfish exports at record levels in January

Norway exported cod, saithe, haddock and other groundfish worth NOK 1.25 billion in the first month of 2016. This is 11 per cent or NOK 128 million more than during January 2015. Growth is accounted for by a new export record for fresh products, as well as high levels of frozen cod.

“Norwegian fleets have had strong harvests toward the New Year, and January export prices were also strong when measured in Norwegian kroner. Landings of fresh fish were on par with last year, but when combined with the more robust prices achieved, it sets a new export record for both fresh fish, and for codfish as a category”, says Ove Johansen, an analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The total export value of fresh groundfish products totalled NOK 324 million in January, an all-time high for the month. This represents an increase of 14 per cent or NOK 40 million year-on-year. The volume of exports increased by 12 per cent.

Skrei cod exports in January were worth NOK 34 million, an increase of 88 per cent, or NOK 16 million compared with January 2015. Export volumes increased by 56 per cent, from 445 tonnes to 696 tonnes. The average price achieved rose by 20 per cent to NOK 48.73 per kg.

Exports of fresh whole cod fell in January by 4 per cent or NOK 5.7 million to a total of NOK 133.5 million. Measured by volume, this represented a decrease of 649 tonnes from January 2015. Exports of fresh whole saithe increased by 189 per cent, from 956 tonnes to 761 tonnes in January.

Exports of fresh fillets reached NOK 55.4 million in January. The same level as in January 2015. By volume, fresh fillets declined by 4 per cent, despite a 4 per cent price increase.

January a good month for frozen fish products

Sales of frozen groundfish products increased by 39 per cent or NOK 217 million to total NOK 447.5 million in January. Exports of frozen whole cod increased the most, from NOK 92.5 million to NOK 248.6 million. Export volumes of frozen groundfish products increased by 142 per cent, from 3,827 tonnes to 9,250 tonnes. Prices increased by 11 per cent to NOK 26.87 per kg. China was the largest export market for frozen whole groundfish in January, increasing year-on-year from NOK 58.4 million to NOK 114.7 million.

Reduced exports for clipfish

Norway exported clipfish worth NOK 376 million in January. This marks a decline of 19 per cent or NOK 86 million year-on-year. Total clipfish exports were 8,811 tonnes in January. This is a decrease of 1,248 tonnes or 12 per cent compared with January 2015, but at the same level as January 2014.

Within the category of clipfish exports, dried Atlantic cod exports were worth NOK 155 million, a reduction of 27 per cent, or NOK 56 million compared to January 2015. The average price increased by 9 per cent compared to January 2015. Exports of saithe clipfish amounted to NOK 178 million in January. A decrease of NOK 24 million year-on-year. The average price achieved for saithe was 12 per cent below the price of saithe in January 2015.

Total clipfish exports to Brazil were worth NOK 218 million in January. The second largest export market was the Dominican Republic with an export value of NOK 35 million.

Lower salted fish exports

Exports of salted fish, both whole and filleted, fell by NOK 5 million to a total of NOK 35 million in January. This is a decline of 13 per cent compared to January 2015. By volume, there was a decline of 16 per cent, to 947 tonnes, from January 2015. Meanwhile, the average price achieved increased by 4 per cent compared to January 2015.

Less stockfish exported but at a higher price

Norway exported stockfish worth NOK 66.5 million in January. An increase by value of NOK 2.3 million year-on-year. By volume, stockfish saw a decline of 26 per cent, from 554 tonnes to 413 tonnes in January. The average price was NOK 161.08 per kg, an increase of 39 per cent year-on-year. The biggest export market for stockfish was Italy who bought whole stockfish worth NOK 55 million.