Strong growth in Mackerel exports in September

The value of exports of Norwegian herring, mackerel and other pelagic fish thus far this year totals NOK 4 billion, up 11 per cent compared to September of last year.

During the first three quarters of the year, the value of exports of Norwegian herring has totalled NOK 1.8 billion, down seven per cent compared to the same period last year. To date, exports of Norwegian mackerel have totalled NOK 1.7 billion, up 59 per cent compared to the same period in 2013. Russia is the biggest market for pelagic fish, followed by China and the Netherlands.

“The high export value is the result of increased exports of mackerel both this spring and autumn, together with stable exports of herring to Eastern Europe during the first six months of the year,” says Kristin Lien from the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The value of exports of pelagic fish in September 2014 totalled NOK 909 million, up 62 per cent from September 2013. The value of exports of herring totalled NOK 161 million, down 17 per cent compared to the same period last year. Total exports of mackerel were NOK 730 million, up 117 per cent from last September.

China the biggest market for Norwegian mackerel

To date, exports of whole frozen mackerel have totalled 155,000 tonnes, an increase of 62 per cent compared to the same period last year. The biggest markets for mackerel were China, Japan, Nigeria and the Netherlands. Mackerel exported to China is processed in China and, for the most part, exported further to Japan for consumption. The average price for whole frozen mackerel thus far this year has been NOK 11.01, up three per cent compared to the same period last year.

Exports totalled 76,000 tonnes of whole frozen mackerel in September, up 181 per cent compared to last September. The majority of exports were to Japan, China and Nigeria.

Russia biggest mackerel market thus far this year

The total volume of exports of whole frozen herring thus far this year is 109,000 tonnes, a decrease of three per cent compared to the same period last year. Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania were the biggest markets in September. The average prize for whole frozen herring was NOK 7.13, down seven per cent compared to the same period last year.

A total of 8,000 tonnes of whole frozen herring was exported in September, a decrease of 38 per cent compared to last year. The biggest markets in September were Lithuania and Ukraine.

The total volume of exports of whole frozen herring fillet products thus far this year is 68,000 tonnes, an increase of 11 per cent compared to the same period last year. Measured in volume, the biggest markets have been Germany, Russia and Poland. The average price for frozen herring fillet products was NOK 11.07, down 10 per cent from the same period in 2013.

Exports of frozen herring fillet products in September totalled 104,000 tonnes, up 28 per cent from last year. The biggest markets in September were Poland and Germany.