Norwegian seafood exports break new records in first half of 2017

Never before has Norway exported a greater value of seafood than in the first six months of 2017. The increase is due primarily to record-high salmon prices but also to strong growth in export volumes to the U.S. and Asian markets.

Norway exported 1.3 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK 46.3 billion in the first six months of 2017. This is an increase in volume of 4 per cent and an increase in value of NOK 3.7 billion, or 9 per cent, compared with the first six months last year.

- The first six months have been characterised by record-high prices for salmon. Continued increase in demand, in combination with reduced supply of salmon globally, is the reason for the price growth, says Paul T. Aandahl, Analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

- Exports of fresh cod show strong growth, something which is due in part to unusually large fresh landings outside the main season, but small sizes on the fish have led to the average price being reduced in comparison with last year," says Aandahl.

In June, 166 000 tonnes of seafood were exported at a value of NOK 7.6 billion. Volume fell by 7 per cent, while the growth in value was NOK 471 million, or 7 per cent, compared with June last year.

Salmon increases in value on stable volume

Norway exported 451 000 tonnes of salmon, worth NOK 31.5 billion, in the first six months of 2017. The volume is at the same level as the first six months last year, while there is an increase in value of 13 per cent, or NOK 3.7 billion, compared with the first six months of 2017. The biggest buyers of Norwegian salmon in the first six months were Poland, France and the U.S.

In June, 74 000 tonnes of salmon were exported at a value of NOK 5.4 billion. This is a small increase in volume, while the value increased by NOK 479 million, or 10 per cent, from June last year. The average price for fresh whole Norwegian salmon in June was NOK 68.80 per kg, versus NOK 65.36 per kg in June of last year..

Strong decline in trout exports

Norway exported 16 000 tonnes of trout worth NOK 1.3 billion in the first six months. This is a decrease in volume of 56 per cent, while the value declined by NOK 596 million, or 31 per cent, from the first six months last year. The largest purchasers of trout from Norway in the first six months were Japan, the U.S. and Belarus.

Trout exports totalled 2 800 tonnes in June. This is a decrease in volume of 54 per cent, while the value declined by NOK 115 million, or 33 per cent, compared with June last year.

Increase for whitefish

Norway exported 54 000 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillets, worth NOK 1.8 billion, in the first six months of the year. This is an increase in volume of 7 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 154 million, or 10 per cent, compared with the first six months of 2016.

In June, 4 000 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillets, were exported at a value of NOK 134 million. This is an increase in volume of 39 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 27 million, or 26 per cent, compared with June last year.

Exports of frozen cod, including fillets, hit 39 000 tonnes at a value of NOK 1.3 billion in the first six months. This is a decrease in volume of 4 per cent, while the value is at the same level as the first six months of 2016. In June, 5 200 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillets, were exported at a value of NOK 179 million. This is a decrease in volume of 5 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 4.5 million, or 3 per cent, compared with June last year..

Good six months for clipfish

Norway exported 42 000 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 1.9 billion in the first six months of 2017. This is an increase in volume of 19 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 233 million, or 14 per cent, compared with the first six months of 2016. In June, 8 000 tonnes of clipfish were exported at a value of NOK 397 million, an increase in volume of 43 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 119 million or 43 per cent from June of last year.

Twenty thousand tonnes of salted fish worth NOK 900 million were exported in the first six months. This is a decrease in volume of 6 per cent, while the value is unchanged compared with the first six months of 2016. In June, 3 000 tonnes of salted fish were exported at a value of NOK 127 million. This is an increase in volume of 131 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 76 million, or 147 per cent, compared with June last year.

Herring down and mackerel up

Norway exported 124 000 of herring worth NOK 1.4 billion in the first six months. This is a decrease in volume of 11 per cent, while the value declined by NOK 46 million, or 3 per cent, compared with the first six months of 2016. Lithuania, Poland and Belarus were the largest markets for herring in the first six months of the year..

In June, 22 000 tonnes of herring were exported at a value of NOK 238 million. This is a decrease in volume of 23 per cent, while the value declined by NOK 125 million, or 34 per cent, compared with June last year.

Exports of mackerel were 97 00 tonnes, worth NOK 1.2 billion, in the first six months. This is a decrease in volume of 6 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 39 million, or 3 per cent, compared with the first six months of 2016. China, South Korea and Turkey were the most important markets for mackerel in the first six months.

In June, 9 000 tonnes of mackerel were exported at a value of NOK 128 million. This is an increase in volume of 11 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 25 million, or 24 per cent, from June last year.

King crab and prawn down

Norway exported 706 tonnes of red king crab worth NOK 192 million in the first six months of the year. This is a decrease in volume of 27 per cent, while the value declined by NOK 32 million, or 14 per cent, compared with the first six months of 2016.

For prawn, the volume decreased by 14 per cent to a total of 4 000 tonnes, while the value declined by 19 per cent or NOK 73 million for a total export value of NOK 303 million in the first six months of 2017.