Norwegian seafood exports for 2017 exceed last year’s level by a clear margin

Norway exported 286,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 9 billion in November. Volume increased by 25 per cent, while export values remained on par with November last year. Year to date, Norway has exported 2.4 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK 86.5 billion. Export volumes have increased by 6 per cent, and value has increased by 4 per cent or NOK 3.3 billion compared to the same period last year.

"Despite the fact that the price of salmon continues to decline, we expect that the total export value for Norwegian seafood in 2017 will exceed last year's figure by a comfortable margin. The explanation for this is the increased volume of salmon combined with a relatively high price level”, says Asbjørn Warvik Rørtveit, Director of Market Insight with the Seafood Council.

"We anticipate a weaker December month than last year, partly due to continued high salmon prices impacting consumers. This is especially true of the smoked salmon market, where important markets like Germany and France have seen demand decline compared to the previous year”, says Paul T. Aandahl, Analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Salmon export values fall, despite volume increase

Norway exported 103,000 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 5.7 billion in November. This represents a volume increase of 11 per cent or 10,200 tonnes but a decline in export value of 5 per cent or NOK 291 million compared with November last year. Year to date, Norway has exported 909,000 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 59 billion. This is a volume increase of 2 per cent, and a value increase of 7 per cent or NOK 4 billion compared to the same period last year. The average price for whole fresh salmon in November was NOK 50.68 per kg against NOK 61.71 per kg November 2016. Poland and France were the largest salmon markets in November.

After five weeks with a sustained increase in exports of Norwegian salmon to China, it is now at the highest level for two years.

"Currently, Norwegian salmon goes to the main destinations Beijing and Shanghai, and importers report that import processes have become simpler. A significant and positive step towards the normalization of salmon exports to China”, says Sigmund Bjørgo, with the Norwegian Seafood Council´s Fisheries Mission in China.

Volume decline for trout so far this year

Norway exported 5,600 tonnes of trout worth some NOK 328 million in November. This is a volume increase of 36 per cent or 1,400 tonnes and an increase in export values of 13 per cent, or 37 per cent compared to November 2016. So far this year, Norway has exported 35,200 tonnes of trout worth NOK 2.6 billion. Export volumes have declined by 45 per cent or 29,100 tonnes and export values have declined by 28 per cent or NOK 1 billion compared with the same period last year. Belarus and Japan have imported the most trout from Norway in November.

Exports of fresh cod have increased by NOK 165 million so far this year

Norway exported 2,600 tonnes of fresh cod, including filleted cod, which was worth NOK 108 million in November. Export volumes were down by 1,000 tonnes or 28 per cent and a decline in export value of 16 per cent or NOK 21 million compared with November 2016. Denmark and Sweden were the largest markets for fresh cod in November. So far this year, Norway has exported 64,500 tonnes of fresh cod, including filleted cod, worth some NOK 2.2 billion. Fresh cod volumes were up by 4,000 tonnes or 7 per cent and an increase in export value of fresh cod by 9 per cent or NOK 182 million compared to the same period last year.

Norway exported 7,200 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillet, worth NOK 241 million in November. Volumes were down by 1,300 tonnes or 15 per cent while export values were down by NOK 20 million or 8 per cent compared to November 2016. China and the UK were the largest markets for frozen cod in November. Year to date, Norway has exported 75,000 tonnes of frozen cod, including filleted frozen cod, for 2.4 billion. This was a volume decline of 450 tonnes or 1 per cent but an increase in export value of 3 per cent or NOK 73 million compared to the same period last year.

Clipfish exports have risen year to date

Norway exported 9,100 tonnes of whole clipfish worth some NOK 432 million in November. This represents a volume increase of 756 tonnes or 9 per cent, and a value increase of NOK 29 million or 7 per cent compared with November last year. So far this year, Norway exported 82,400 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 3.8 billion. This represents a volume increase of 8,700 tonnes or 12 per cent and an increase in value of 10 per cent or NOK 331 million compared with the same period last year. Portugal and Brazil were the largest markets for Norwegian clipfish in November.

”We are pleased to see that prices for most cod products continues to increase. For one thing, the price of clipfish from cod has increased with 7 per cent so far this year, which is partly driven by a better economy and increased demand in one of our most important clipfish markets, Brazil” says Ingrid Kristine Pettersen, analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Norway exported 1,600 tonnes of salted fish with a value of NOK 74 million in November. This is a volume increase of 26 tonnes or 2 per cent and a value increase of 20 per cent or NOK 12 million compared with November 2016. So far this year, Norway has exported 27,000 tonnes of salted fish worth NOK 1.2 billion. This is a volume decline of 1,400 tonnes or 5 per cent, and an increase in export value of 4 per cent or NOK 43 million compared with the same period last year. Italy and Spain were the largest export markers for salted fish in November.

Increased exports of stockfish

Norway exported 641 tonnes of whole stockfish worth NOK 103 million in November. A volume increase of 117 tonnes or 22 per cent, and an increase in value of NOK 20 million or 24 per cent.

Increased export volumes, but significant fall in prices for herring

Norway exported 57,000 tonnes of herring worth NOK 485 million in November. This is a volume increase of 52 per cent or 19,500 tonnes but a decline of 3 per cent or NOK 15 million compared with November 2016.

"Despite a volume increase of over 50 per cent, we have seen a fall in prices for herring, largely due to strong growth in the fishing quota and increased competition in the market," says Paul T. Aandahl, Analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council,.

Year to date, Norway has exported 253,000 tonnes of herring with a value of NOK 2.5 billion. This is an increase in volume of 15 per cent or 33,000 tonnes, and a decline in export value of 12 per cent or NOK 336 million compared with the same period last year. Poland and Egypt were the largest markets for herring in October.

Increased exports of mackerel

Norway exported 70,000 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 833 million in November. This is a volume increase of 70 per cent or 29,000 tonnes and a 46 per cent increase in value or NOK 263 million compared with November 2016. Year to date, Norway has exported 310,000 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 3.8 billion. This is a volume increase of 6 per cent or 18,000 tonnes, and a decline in value of 1 per cent or NOK 43 million compared with the same period last year. So far this year, China and Japan have been the largest markets for mackerel.

Increased exports of Norwegian prawns

Norway exported 937 tonnes of prawns worth some NOK 74 million in November. This is an increase of 129 tonnes or 16 per cent, while export value increased by NOK 15 million or 16 per cent. Sweden and the UK were the most important prawn markets in November.

King crab exports are down

Norway exported 139 tonnes of king crab worth a total of NOK 40 million in November. A decrease of 13 per cent or 21 tonnes, while export values fell by 5 per cent or NOK 2 million compared with the same month last year. The Netherlands and South Korea were the largest export markets for king crab in November.