Norwegian Seafood Exports Reduced In February

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 5.1 billion in February. This represents a 6 per cent, or NOK 318 million reduction compared to February 2014, reports the Norwegian Seafood Council.

“Norway exported significantly more seafood in February 2015 than is normal for this month, although somewhat less than the records set last February. This is due primarily to salmon prices being lower than the very high prices of February 2014. Norway exported white fish worth more than NOK 1 billion, and codfish in particular has achieved good prices. Despite this, February has been marked by extreme coastal weather, which has resulted in lower fishing volumes, combined with the fact that the large export volumes of clipfish for the Brazilian Easter celebrations occurred in January, not February”, says Geir Bakkevoll, Communications Director at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Salmon exports increased

Salmon worth NOK 3.3 billion was exported in February. This is an increase of NOK 80 million or 2 per cent compared with February 2014. The price for fresh whole salmon dropped from NOK 47.59 per kg to NOK 42.21 per kg. Volumes in February are above the levels for February 2014 for most uses of salmon, at almost 73,000 thousand tonnes. France, Poland and the UK are the biggest importers of salmon from Norway.

Trout exports reduced

In February trout exports fell by 27 per cent to an export total NOK 145 million. Poland and Japan were our main markets for trout in February.

Herring and mackerel exports are lower

Exports of herring ended February at NOK 158 million, a decrease of NOK 39 million or 20 per cent compared to February 2014. Egypt and Germany were the main markets for herring in February.

Mackerel exports fell by NOK 80 million or 28 per cent in February to total NOK 210 million. China and Turkey were the biggest importers of mackerel.

Fresh cod up, frozen cod down

Exports of fresh cod, including cod fillets increased in February by NOK 18 million or 6 per cent year-on-year, to NOK 299 million. Norway exported codfish worth NOK 44 million in February. Exported volume totalled 1,409 tonnes. Frozen codfish exports declined by 16 per cent to NOK 149 million in February. The EU was the biggest importer of fresh and frozen cod with a value of NOK 291 million and NOK 112 million respectively.

Decreased sales of bacalhau

Exports of clipfish declined by NOK 62 million or 19 per cent in February to total NOK 264 million. Brazil was the biggest market in February and was worth NOK 70 million.

Decline in salted fish exports

Exports of salted fish in February were down by NOK 39 million to total NOK 96 million. Portugal is our biggest market for salted fish with a total value of NOK 41 million in February.