Record figures for Norwegian codfish exports

Norway has exported cod, saithe, haddock and other groundfish to a value of NOK 9.5 billion year-to-date. This is NOK 1 billion, or 12 per cent more year-on-year. During the same period the export by volume decreased by 14 per cent, primarily due to lower volumes of frozen whole cod. 

In September 2015, exports of cod, saithe, haddock and other groundfish totalled NOK 1.12 billion. Measured by value, this is at the same level as September 2014, and by volume a decrease of 18 per cent.

“The price of codfish has increased in all markets, aided by a weak krone. This consolidates Portugal's position as the most important single market for cod, both in clipfish and salted fish varieties. This is best year ever so far for sales to the Portuguese market”, says analyst Ove Johansen in the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Clipfish exports set a new year-to-date record

Norway has exported clipfish worth NOK 2.8 billion so far this year. An increase of NOK 419 million or 17 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier. This third quarter has also set a new record when measured in Norwegian kroner. By volume, clipfish exports have totalled 62,856 tonnes. A reduction of 6,824 tonnes or 10 per cent compared with the same period last year. The average price increases for all clipfish is 30 per cent.

Of this, exports of Atlantic cod clipfish account for NOK 1.6 billion so far this year. An increase of NOK 376 million compared year-on-year. Prices achieved have been on average 40 per cent higher than 2014 prices. The value of saithe clipfish totalled NOK 1 billion. An increase of NOK 9 million compared with the end of Q3 in 2014. So far this year, saithe clipfish prices have risen by an average of 19 per cent compared to the same period in 2014.

The largest single market for clipfish remains Portugal, with exports so far this year worth NOK 974 million. This is 41 per cent, or NOK 284 million more than the same period in 2014. Brazil is the second largest market, buying clipfish worth NOK 583 million so far this year. A decrease of 17 per cent year-on-year.

Portugal the dominant market for saltfish

So far this year Norway has exported salted fish, both whole and fillet to a value of NOK 958 million. An increase of NOK 190 million or 25 per cent compared with the same period last year. Measured by volume, exports totalled 25,486 tonnes of salted fish. This marks a decrease of 8 per cent year-on-year. In Norwegian kroner, prices increased on average by 36 per cent. Portugal was the biggest buyer of Norwegian salted fish, accounting for 70 per cent of all salted fish export sales so far this year.

Strong price increases for stockfish

Stockfish season normally runs from July to June, and in the third quarter total exports of whole stockfish totalled NOK 204 million. An increase of NOK 50.6 million or 33 per cent compared with the same period last year. Measured by volume, exports totalled 1,480 tonnes of dried fish. This represents a decline of 21 per cent year-on-year. 921 tonnes of Lofoten round cod, the main product, were exported so far this year, with a value of NOK 151 million. This is an increase of NOK 41 million or 38 per cent compared with the same period last year. Average prices achieved were NOK 164.27 per kilo. An increase of 65 per cent year-on-year.

During the same period, Norway exported dried heads and backs worth NOK 72 million, the same value of exports as the same period in 2014. These products are mainly exported to Nigeria. The total for all dried products purchased by Nigeria reached NOK 114 million. A decline of NOK 10 million year-on-year.

Export record for fresh groundfish products

So far this year, exports of fresh groundfish products amounted to NOK 2.28 billion. This is an increase of NOK 360 million or 19 per cent compared to the same period last year. This represents an all time record for fresh cod fish products. The export volume of fresh products declined by 5 per cent, while the average price has increased by 26 percent compared with the same period in 2014.

So far this year, exports of fresh whole Norwegian cod totalled NOK 1.33 billion. This is an increase of NOK 277 million compared with the same period in 2014. Prices have increased by an average of 37 per cent.

Year-to-date exports of fresh fillets have increased by NOK 46 million to total NOK 385 million. Exports of fresh cod fillets have increased by NOK 25 million to NOK 305 million, while exports of fresh haddock fillets have increased from NOK 49 million to NOK 67 million kroner. In addition, exports of fresh fillets of saithe gone up from NOK 7.7 to a new total of NOK 11.4 million.

Frozen products down in volume

Norway has exported frozen groundfish products worth NOK 3 billion so far this year. This is an increase of NOK 34 million compared with the same period last year. Export volumes reduced by 22 per cent, while the average price has increased by 30 per cent year-on-year.

Whole fish worth NOK 2.36 billion have been exported so far this year. This is a reduction of NOK 27 million compared with the same period last year. Frozen whole cod decreased from NOK 1.08 billion to NOK 899 million. Frozen whole saithe increased by NOK 189 million to NOK 288 million kroner, whilst frozen whole haddock export values were reduced from NOK 636 million to NOK 428 million. Frozen whole Greenland halibut increased from NOK 288 million to NOK 474 million and redfish increased from NOK 124 million to NOK 190 million so far this year compared with the same period last year.

So far this year, exports of frozen fillets increased from NOK 554 million to NOK 622 million. By volume this represents a decline of 12 per cent, whilst the average prices have increased by 28 per cent so far this year.