January 10, 2007

Norway's aquaculture exports exceeds that from traditional fishing 
 

Norway's Aquaculture industry exports exceeded traditional fishing exports for the first time ever in 2006, according to the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).

Aquaculture exports totalled US$2.9 billion, up by 24 percent with salmon accounting for US$2.7 billion, while revenue from traditional fishing exports remained at US$2.68 billion

Norway's seafood exports surged by US$567.6 million to an all-time high of US$5.6 billion in 2006, thanks to record high exports of salmon, bacalao and dried fish.

However, herring and mackerel exports, was down by US$189.2 million due to lower prices.

France was the largest export market with exports to it surging 26 percent to US$599.1 million.

Eight of the 10 largest export markets for Norwegian seafood were EU countries. Denmark ranked second, followed by Russia, which remains Norway's largest export market.

The EU accounted for 62 percent of Norway's aggregate seafood exports, up by 4 percentage points. Exports to the EU rose by US$583.4 million to US$3.6 billion.