Small dip in October sales for Norwegian salmon

The export value of Norwegian salmon was NOK 4 billion in October. This represents a small decline of NOK 130 million, or 3 per cent, compared with October 2013. The first time that salmon´s monthly export value has fallen in two years. So far this year Norwegian salmon exports have totalled NOK 35.8 billion, NOK 4.5 billion, or 14 per cent higher than the same period in 2013, according to figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council.
”The reduction in the value of exports in October is a combination of lower prices and lower traded volumes. Despite the current Russian ban on imports, the demand for Norwegian salmon remains very strong, and the EU will account for a greater share of the total,” says Paul T. Aandahl, senior analyst for salmon and trout at the Norwegian Seafood Council.Measured by weight, 101,400 tonnes of salmon were exported in October. A small decrease of 1.6 per cent compared with October 2013.For 2014 so far, the total export volume by weight is 7 per cent higher at 824,000 tonnes than the same period in 2013.

Lower salmon prices

The average export price for fresh whole salmon in October was NOK 35.82 per kg. This is 5 per cent lower than the same month in 2013, although just over 2 per cent up on the average export price in September.  

Stronger growth in EU markets 

The October export value of Norwegian salmon to the EU was just under NOK 2.9 billion. An increase of 9 per cent year-on-year. The EU accounted for 76 per cent of Norwegian salmon exports in October, compared with 66 per cent a year earlier. Part of this trend is due to the recent Russian import ban. Export volume by product weight was 77,000 tonnes, an increase of 13 per cent. Poland and France were the largest buyers of Norwegian salmon in October. 

Reduced sales to Eastern Europe 

Salmon exports to Eastern Europe totalled NOK 136 million in October. A reduction of 78 per cent compared with a year earlier. Exports by volume were down by 74 per cent, to 4,400 tonnes. The decline is primarily due to the Russian import ban, as well as reduced supply to the Ukrainian market.

Sales upturn in Asian and US markets

Exports of salmon to Asia were worth NOK 622 million in October. An increase of 11 per cent compared with the same month last year. Measured by weight, October exports to Asia grew by 1,300 tonnes, a 10 per cent increase year-on-year. 

The export value of salmon to the United States in October reached NOK 210 million. An increase of 9 per cent compared to a year earlier. Exports by weight to the US market in October totaled 3,200 tonnes.   

Trout shows small decline in October 

The total export value in October of trout was NOK 251 million. 3 per cent or NOK 7 million less than in October 2013. Exports by weight were at parity with the previous year, at 5,960 tonnes. The total value year-to-date of trout exports is NOK 2 billion. This represents a 7 per cent, or NOK 128 million increase compared with the same period in 2013.