Norwegian seafood exports will exceed NOK 100 billion this week

Norway exported 273,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK 10.5 billion in November.

Compared with the same period last year:

* Export value increased by 6 per cent or NOK 574 million

* Export volume decreased by 5 per cent 

So far this year, Norway has exported 2.4 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK 97,7 billion. Export volume has declined by 4 per cent, but export value has increased by 8 per cent or NOK 7 billion compared to the same period last year. This represents a major milestone for Norway, as seafood exports will exceed 100 billion Norwegian kroner this week.

- The world loves seafood from Norway because it is healthy, sustainable, and of the highest quality. Seafood is a part of the solution to the global challenges we face, including health, climate and the need for more food, says Renate Larsen, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Norway is the world’s second largest exporter of seafood, providing 37 million daily meals of seafood to 146 countries across the globe. Responsible management of our precious resources is at the very core of the Norwegian seafood industry.

- The Norwegian model of seafood production is often acknowledged as best practice, and we are renowned across the world for the sustainable management of wild fisheries and responsible aquaculture production. By choosing seafood from Norway consumers can be assured they are eating some of the most sustainable and highest quality seafood there is, says Larsen.

Strong value growth for salmon - 12 per cent increase

Norway exported 108,000 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 6.2 billion in November. This is a volume increase of 7 per cent and a value increase of 12 per cent or NOK 705 million from November last year.

So far this year, Norway has exported 1 million tonnes of salmon worth NOK 66 billion. This is a volume increase of 7 per cent, while the value increased by 6 per cent or NOK 3.9 billion from the same period last year. The average price for whole fresh salmon in November was NOK 59.06 per kilo, compared with NOK 56.07 per kg in November last year.

Poland and France were the largest markets for salmon in November.

- An ever-increasing share of exports to the EU goes to countries that traditionally have a large amount of Norwegian salmon processed for export, mainly to other EU countries. Examples of countries that are processing and reexporting a large share of the Norwegian salmon is Poland, Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania, says Paul T. Aandahl, seafood analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council. 

Good increase in volume and 20 per cent value growth in trout exports

Norway exported 6,700 tonnes of trout worth NOK 382 million in November. This is a 30 per cent increase in volume and a value increase of 20 per cent, or NOK 64 million when compared with November last year.

So far this year, Norway exported 54,100 tonnes of trout for NOK 3.3 billion. This is a volume increase of 31 per cent and a value increase of 25 per cent or NOK 659 million against the same period in 2018.

Belarus and the United States have purchased the most trout from Norway in November.

Good increase in value for the export of fresh and frozen cod

Norway exported 2,900 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillet, worth NOK 141 million in November. This is a 6 per cent increase in volume and a value increase of 22 per cent or NOK 26 million when measured against November 2018.

So far this year, Norway has exported 49,200 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillets, worth NOK 2.2 billion. This is a 20 per cent reduction in volume and a decline of 4 per cent or NOK 87 million from the same period last year.

Denmark and Sweden were the largest markets for fresh cod in November.

- Both in October and November of this year, the volumes of fresh whole and fresh fillet has been larger compared to the same period last year. This is due to an increase in catches, which has been higher outside of the season, says Ingrid K. Pettersen, seafood analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Norway exported 7,300 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillet, for NOK 309 million in November. The volume increased by 13 per cent, and the value increased by 14 per cent or NOK 39 million compared to November last year.

So far this year, Norway has exported 65,200 tonnes of frozen cod, including fillets, for NOK 2.8 billion. This is a volume increase of 2 per cent, while value has grown by 15 per cent or NOK 354 million from the same period in 2018.

The UK and China and were the largest markets for frozen cod in November.

- With regards to frozen cod, both whole and fillet, the value has increased so far this year. The increase in value for fillet is due to higher prices, since volumes have dropped. Frozen, whole cod have seen an increase in both prices and volume. The UK market is responsible for the largest part of the growth in volume, due to increased inventory and increased consumer demand, says Ingrid K. Pettersen at the Norwegian Seafood Council. 

Solid growth for both clipfish and salted fish in November

Norway exported 8,900 tonnes of whole clipfish worth NOK 533 million in November. This is a 7 per cent decrease in volume, and a value increase of NOK 65 million or 14 per cent from November last year.

So far this year, Norway has exported 85,400 tonnes of clipfish for NOK 4.4 billion. This is a 1 per cent increase in volume and a 12 per cent increase in value, or NOK 492 million from the same period last year.

Portugal and Brazil were the largest clipfish markets in November.

Norway exported 1,700 tonnes of salted fish for NOK 86 million in November. This is a 31 per cent increase in volume and a value increase of 42 per cent or NOK 25 million from November last year.

So far this year, Norway has exported 22,600 tonnes of salted fish for NOK 1.2 billion. This is a 19 per cent decrease in volume and a 10 per cent decline in value, or NOK 136 million compared to the November 2018.

Portugal and Italy were the largest salted fish markets in November.

Price growth for stockfish

Norway exported 655 tonnes of stockfish for NOK 135 million in November. This is a 9 per cent reduction in volume but a value increase of 18 per cent or NOK 21 million compared with November last year.

So far this year, Norway has exported 4,285 tonnes of stockfish worth NOK 792 million. This is a volume decrease of 10 per cent, and a value increase of 15 per cent or NOK 102 million compared with the same period last year.

Croatia and Italy were the largest markets for stockfish in November.

The value of herring exports increased by 25 per cent

Norway exported 66,000 tonnes of herring to a value of NOK 556 million in November. This is a 33 per cent increase in volume and a 25 per cent increase or a value of NOK 111 million compared to November last year

So far this year, Norway has exported 310,300 tonnes of herring for NOK 2.8 billion. This is a 16 per cent increase in volume, and a value increase of 18 per cent or NOK 422 million from the same period last year.

Nigeria and Poland were the largest markets for herring in November.

- The share of frozen, whole herring has increase in 2019. In the same period last year, the share of frozen, whole herring was 32 per cent, which has increased to 41 per cent this year. Africa has increased their share of the export and have seen a total growth of 213 per cent. In total, the export of frozen, whole herring has increased with 51 per cent, says Paul T. Aandahl, with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Sharp price growth for mackerel

Norway exported 39,400 tonnes of mackerel for NOK 736 million in November. This is a 41 per cent drop in volume and a 31 percent decline in value, or NOK 324 million from November last year.

So far this year, Norway has exported 219,000 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 3.9 billion. This is a volume reduction of 8 per cent, and a value increase of 12 per cent, or NOK 405 million compared with the same period last year.

In November, Japan and China were the largest markets for mackerel.

Shellfish

In November, 88 tonnes of king crab were exported with a value of NOK 29 million. This is a 50 per cent reduction in volume and value drop by NOK 27 million, or 48 per cent.

So far this year, 1,900 tonnes of king crab have been exported to a value of NOK 585 million. The volume is at the same level as last year, while the value increased by NOK 39 million or 7 per cent.

In November, the United States and Belgium are the largest destination markets for king crab.

Norway exported 1,100 tonnes of prawns worth NOK 91 million in November. This is a 3 per cent increase in volume, while the value is at the same level as last year.

So far in 2019, 15,300 tonnes of prawns have been exported to a value of NOK 1 billion. This is a 52 per cent increase in volume and a 32 per cent growth in value or NOK 249 million.

- The increase in catches of prawns in the Barents sea this year have seen prices drop. The largest amount of the catch has been done by other nations than Norway, says Frank Isaksen, chief analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Sweden and the UK are the most important markets for prawns in November.