Norwegian seafood exports worth NOK 6.7 billion in May

Norwegian seafood exports totalled NOK 6.7 billion in May. This represents an increase of 28 per cent or NOK 1.5 billion compared with May 2015. Year-to-date seafood exports stand at NOK 35.5 billion. An increase of 26 per cent or NOK 7.3 billion compared with the same period last year.

“Norway has exported hundred thousand tonnes less of seafood so far this year compared with the first five months of last year. Meanwhile, the value of seafood exports has increased by 26 percent during the same period. The decline in volume is mainly due to the reduced availability of salmon. Good weather has also meant that some cod quotas have already been fished. Growth by value is mainly due to the strong overall demand for Norwegian seafood and good prices achieved for most products”, said Geir Håvard Hanssen, Director of Communications at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Increased exports of salmon and trout

Salmon exports were worth NOK 4.9 billion in May. This is an increase of 39 per cent or NOK 1.4 billion compared May 2015. So far this year, salmon exports have totalled NOK 23 billion, an increase of 28 per cent or NOK 5 billion. The average price for whole fresh Norwegian salmon in May was NOK 60.48 per kilo compared with NOK 38.37 per kilo a year earlier. Poland and France were the biggest buyers of salmon from Norway in May.

Norway exported trout worth NOK 281 million in May. An increase of 84 percent or NOK 128 million from May 2015. So far this year, exports of trout have been worth NOK 1.6 billion. An increase of 109 per cent or NOK 826 million year-on-year. Japan and the United States were the largest buyers of trout from Norway in May.

Fresh cod exports decrease, but frozen cod exports increase

Norway exported cod, saithe, haddock and other demersal fish to a value of NOK 1 billion in May. This is at the same level as last May. Year-to-date exports of ground fish have totalled NOK 6.5 billion. An increase of 16 per cent or NOK 88 million.

In May, exports of fresh cod, including fillets reached NOK 136 million. This marks a decrease of 8 per cent or NOK 11 million, compared with May 2015. Frozen cod exports, including fillets, ended in May at NOK 181 million. An increase of 27 per cent or NOK 38 million.

Clipfish down, saltfish exports stable

In May, exports of clipfish totalled NOK 284 million. A decline of 15 per cent or NOK 50 million compared to May last year.

In May, exports of salted fish amounted to NOK 156 million. This is the same as in May 2015.

Herring and mackerel exports are both up

May herring exports stand at NOK 92 million. An increase of 13 per cent or NOK 10 million, compared with May 2015. Year-to-date, herring exports have totalled NOK 1.1 billion. An increase of 62 per cent or NOK 405 million compared with the same period last year. Poland and Germany are the biggest markets for herring.

For mackerel, exports in May were NOK 143 million. An increase of 109 percent or NOK 75 million. So far this year, mackerel exports were worth NOK 1.1 billion which represents an increase of 55 per cent or NOK 382 million. Year-to-date, Japan and South Korea have been the largest export markets.

Growth for snow crab exports

In May, exports of snow crab were worth NOK 55 million. This is 171 per cent higher than a year ago. Year-to-date export growth has been nearly 200 per cent. Measured by value, snow crab exports have reached NOK 172 million. By volume, some 2,068 tonnes have been exported so far this year, compared with 968 tonnes during the same period last year.

So far this year, the US and Japan have been the main export markets for snow crab.