Strong demand drives record prices for salmon

Norway exported 165,000 tonnes of seafood with a total value of NOK 8.5 billion in May. Volumes were down by 11 per cent, while export values were up by NOK 821 million or 11 per cent compared with May 2017. So far this year, Norway has exported 1.2 million tonnes of seafood worth a value of NOK 40 billion. Export volumes have increased by 12 per cent, while the total export value has grown by NOK 1.6 billion or 4 per cent.

“With an average price of NOK 73.73 per kg of fresh whole salmon, we are seeing the highest monthly average price for salmon during May. The reasons for these high prices are a combination of strong demand and a still weak Norwegian kroner in relation to the euro. Export values for Norwegian salmon to the EU have never been higher in a single month. The export value for salmon to the EU in May ended at NOK 4.6 billion”, says Asbjørn Warvik Rørtveit with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Increased value for salmon

Norway exported 81,000 tonnes of salmon worth a total of NOK 6.1 billion in May. The volume of exports to the EU was 10,500 tonnes, while the total growth in volume was 8,400 tonnes or 12 per cent. Export value increased by NOK 851 million or 16 per cent compared with May last year. So far this year, 400,000 tonnes of salmon have been exported realising a total value of NOK 27 billion.

While the average price for fresh whole salmon was NOK 69.76 per kg in May 2017, by May 2018 it had risen to NOK 73.73 per kg. Poland, France and Denmark were the largest export markets for Norwegian salmon in May. The United States also saw a strong rise in export value, up NOK 82 million or 24% compared to May last year. This represents the best May-month for export of Norwegian seafood to the United States ever.

"Americans are consuming Norwegian salmon like never before, and I think it's because Norway's seafood is known to be free of antibiotics and farmed using sustainable practices." Growth in the United States shows the importance of the authorities and industry working together to ensure good market access. But we cannot rest on our laurels, ensuring good trading conditions will also continue to be crucial for achieving growth in the future" says Per Sandberg, Minister of Fisheries.

Trout exports are up

I mai ble det eksportert 4 300 tonn ørret til en verdi av 316 millioner kroner. Volumet økte med 54 prosent, mens verdien økte med 87 millioner kroner eller 38 prosent, sammenlignet med mai i fjor. Hittil i år er det eksportert 18 000 tonn ørret til en verdi av 1,2 milliard kroner. USA og Hviterussland var våre største marked for ørret i mai. In May, 4,300 tonnes of trout were exported with a value of NOK 316 million. Export volume increased by 54 per cent, while export value increased by NOK 87 million or 38 per cent, compared with May 2017. So far this year, 18,000 tonnes of trout have been exported with a value of NOK 1.2 billion. USA and Belarus were our largest export markets for trout in May.

Up for fresh and down for frozen cod

5,700 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillets, were exported with a total value of NOK 203 million in May. Export value was up by NOK 21 million or 12 per cent and export volume rose by 226 tonnes or 4 per cent in May. So far this year, 48,000 tonnes of fresh cod have been exported with a total value of NOK 1.7 billion.

In May, 6,000 tonnes of frozen cod were exported with a total value of NOK 216 million. This is a reduction in volume of 1 300 tonnes or 17 per cent, while export value fell by NOK 20 million or 8 per cent. So far this year, 33,000 tonnes of frozen cod have been exported with a total value of NOK 1.2 billion.

Clipfish exports rise

7,600 tonnes of clipfish were exported with a total value of NOK 373 million in May. This is an increase in volume of 700 tonnes or 10 per cent, while export value has increased by NOK 28 million or 8 per cent. Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were the largest importers of clipfish from Norway in May. So far this year, 36,000 tonnes of cutlery have been exported to a value of NOK 1.6 billion.

Salted fish exports are up

In May, 4,700 tonnes of salted fish were exported with a value of NOK 237 million. Export volume increased by 180 tonnes or 4 per cent, while export value increased by NOK 28 million or 13 per cent. Portugal remained the largest recipient of salted fish from Norway in May, up 6% in volume compared with the previous year. So far this year, 18,000 tonnes of salted fish have been exported to a total value of NOK 895 million.

Herring exports are down and mackerel exports are up

10,300 tonnes of herring were exported with a value of NOK 109 million in May. This is a reduction in volume of 3,600 tonnes or 26 per cent, while export value fell by NOK 36 million or 25 per cent. Poland, Germany and Ukraine were the key markets for herring in May. So far this year, 113,000 tonnes of herring have been exported with a value of NOK 1 billion.

11,000 tonnes of mackerel were exported in May with a total value of NOK 149 million. Export volume increased by 1,400 tonnes or 14 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 18 million or 14 percent. Ukraine, Japan and Vietnam were the largest export markets for mackerel in May. So far this year, 72,000 tonnes of mackerel have been exported with a total value of NOK 927 billion.

Growth in export value for king crab and prawns

73 tonnes of king crab worth a total of NOK 21 million were exported in May. This is an increase of 5 tonnes or 8 per cent, while export value has increased by NOK 3 million or 18 per cent. So far this year, 567 tons of king crab has been exported with a total value of NOK 161 million.

For prawns, export volume increased by 23 tonnes or 3 per cent to a total of 891 tonnes, while export value increased by NOK 10 million or 16 per cent to a total export value of NOK 72 million in May. So far this year, 3,700 tonnes of prawns have been exported with a total export value of 304 million.