Salmon exports stabilize in May

Norway exported salmon worth NOK 3.5 billion in May. This is the same value as in May 2014, according to analysis from the Norwegian Seafood Council.

”The salmon market has developed broadly as expected following the exclusion of Norwegian salmon from the Russian market”, says Bjørn-Erik Stabell, Marketing Manager for Salmon at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

”Exports to Eastern Europe have returned, increasing exports to core markets within the EU. Particularly pleasing is the positive development of the largest export market France. This is a market that has seen a negative trend in recent years, but that trend has now reversed”, observes Stabell.

84 739 tonnes of salmon were exported in May, an increase of 4 per cent compared with the same period last year.

So far this year, salmon exports have been worth NOK 18.1 billion. This is NOK 97 million more than during the same period in 2014. Export volumes so far this year, have totalled 408,000 tonnes, an increase of 7 per cent year-on-year.

Somewhat lower salmon prices

The price achieved for fresh whole salmon in May reached NOK 38.47 per kilo. This is 5 per cent lower than in May 2014. Salmon prices in May were 4 per cent lower than the average price achieved in April.

Continued growth for EU exports

Norway exported salmon worth almost NOK 2.7 billion to the EU in May. This is an increase of 9 per cent year-on-year. Exports by volume reached 65,504 tonnes in May. An increase of 14 per cent compared with May 2014. Poland, France and Britain were the largest export markets for Norwegian salmon in May.

Increased exports to Asia and the US

Salmon exports to Asia increased by 6 per cent to total NOK 521 million in May. Growth was driven by a marked increase in volume to 1,331 tonnes, which is 13 per cent more than during the same month last year.

Salmon exports to the United States totalled NOK 180 million in May. This is an increase of 13 per cent year-on-year. Exported volumes were significantly increased by 35 per cent compared to May 2014.

Decline in trout

Trout sales amounted to NOK 157 million in May. A reduction of NOK 45 million or 22 per cent compared to May last year. Export volumes were also down by 15 per cent to total 3,760 tonnes. Belarus was our largest export market for trout in May with volumes markedly increased by 131 per cent to a monthly total of 1,107 tonnes.