Norwegian seafood exports grow by 29 per cent in February

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 6.8 billion in February. This is an increase of NOK 1.5 billion or 29 per cent compared with February last year. So far this year, seafood worth NOK 13.6 billion has been exported. This is an increase of NOK 2.6 billion or 24 per cent compared with the same period last year.

"A total growth of 29 per cent bears witness to an industry that is prospering. Nearly all sectors have solid development in February. Record-high prices led to an increase of NOK 863 million for salmon, compared with February last year. There is strong growth for nearly all whitefish, the pelagic sector had its best February in several years, and on top of all of this, we see that crab exports have increased by 317 per cent. Growth in demand, high prices and a favourable foreign currency situation deserve a good deal of the credit for several records being beaten in February," says Geir Håvard Hanssen, Director of Communications at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Increases for salmon and trout

NOK 4.2 billion worth of salmon was exported in February. This is an increase of NOK 863 million or 26 per cent compared with February last year. The average price for fresh whole salmon increased from NOK 42.17 per kg to NOK 55.05 per kg. Measured by volume, salmon exports declined by 472 tonnes to nearly 71,800 tonnes in February this year. France, Poland and Denmark were the largest recipients of salmon from Norway.

Trout exports increased in February by 100 per cent to an export value of NOK 288 million. The volume increased by 3,000 tonnes to 6100 tonnes. Poland, Belarus and Japan were our largest markets for trout in February.

Strong figures for herring and mackerel

Exports of herring finished at NOK 351 million in February. This is an increase of NOK 194 million or 124 per cent compared with February last year. Ukraine, Germany and Poland were the most important markets for herring in February.

Mackerel exports increased by NOK 126 million or 61 per cent in February, to NOK 333 million in total. Ghana was the largest recipient of mackerel with a value of NOK 50 million.

Decline for clipfish

Exports of clipfish declined by NOK 53 million or 20 per cent in February to NOK 205 million in total. Portugal was the largest market with a value of NOK 71 million.

Growth for salted fish exports

Exports of salted fish increased in February by NOK 15 million to an export value of NOK 111 million. Portugal was our largest market for salted fish with a total value of NOK 52 million in February.

Record for fresh cod 

Exports of fresh cod increased by NOK 142 million or 61 per cent, to NOK 373 million in total. Norway exported NOK 75 million worth of Skrei cod in February. This is an increase of 73 per cent from February last year. The volume was 2,115 tonnes. For frozen cod, the export value increased by NOK 76 million to an export value of NOK 225 million in February.

Strong growth for shellfish

Exports of crab increased by 317 per cent to an export value of NOK 83 million. This is divided among king crab at NOK 59 million and snow crab at NOK 23 million. Shrimp increased by 104 per cent to a total export value of NOK 50 million.