Slight export growth despite import ban

The value of exports of Norwegian seafood in August totalled NOK 4.8 billion, up NOK 157 million, or 3 per cent, compared to last August.To date, Norwegian seafood exports have totalled NOK 42.4 billion, an increase of NOK 5.9 billion, or 16 per cent, compared to the same month last year.

"The effect of the import ban for food products from Norway introduced by Russia, our biggest seafood market, on 7 August has been especially apparent in exports of trout and herring.However, the effect on a global product like salmon has not been comparable.The volume of exports of Norwegian salmon was up 11 per cent in August and, despite a lower export price, we see continued growth in the value of exports of Norwegian salmon and Norwegian seafood overall,” explains Christian Chramer, Communications Manager at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Salmon exports up slightly

The value of exports of Norwegian salmon in August totalled NOK 3.3 billion, an increase of NOK 101 million, or 3 per cent, compared to last August. To date, Norwegian salmon exports have totalled NOK 28.4 billion, up NOK 4.5 billion, or 19 per cent, compared to the same month last year. The average price for whole, fresh Norwegian salmon in August was NOK 36.04, compared to NOK 40.73 last August. As in the previous month, the biggest markets for Norwegian salmon were Poland and France.

The value of exports of Norwegian fjord trout in August was NOK 150 million, down NOK 60 million, or 28 per cent, compared to last August. To date, total exports for fjord trout have totalled NOK 1.6 billion. This is an increase of NOK 133 million, or 9 per cent, compared to the same period last year. The largest markets for Norwegian trout in August were Belarus and Poland.

Herring down, mackerel up

Herring exports fell in value in August by NOK 5 million, or 3 per cent, to a total value of NOK 147 million. To date, total exports of herring have totalled NOK 1.4 billion. This is a decrease of NOK 104 million compared to the same period last year. Ukraine and Poland were the biggest markets for herring in August.

Mackerel exports were up in August by NOK 7 million, to a total of NOK 49 million. Exports of mackerel to date have increased by NOK 253 million to a total of NOK 1 billion compared to the same period last year. Turkey and Romania were the biggest markets for mackerel in August.

Clipfish up, salted fish down

Exports of clipfish increased in value in August by NOK 25 million to a total value of NOK 298 million. This figure breaks down into NOK 132 million for cod, NOK 130 million for saithe and the remaining amount for ling, cusk and other white fish. The biggest market for clipfish made from cod in August was Portugal, while Brazil was the most important market for clipfish made from saithe.

Exports of salted fish, including fillets, fell by NOK 3 million in July, to a total export value of NOK 29 million, of which NOK 18 million was accounted for by cod exports. Portugal is the largest market for salted fish.

Fresh cod down, frozen cod up

Exports of fresh Norwegian cod from fishing, including fillets, fell in August by NOK 2 million to a total export value of NOK 44 million. Exports of frozen cod, including fillets, increased in August by NOK 39 million to a total of NOK 150 million. Exports of fresh cod to the EU made up 99 per cent of total exports, while 49 per cent of frozen fish was exported to the EU and 45 per cent to China.

Russia

The value of exports of Norwegian seafood to Russia in August fell NOK 444 million, or 82 per cent, compared to last August. The table below shows the distribution of the most important species.