Norway's seafood exports hit record-high NOK10.7 billion (US$1.65 billion) in the first quarter, up by 15 percent year-on-year, boosted by demand for salmon and salmon trout, as well as herring and mackerel.

According to figures by Statistics Norway and the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC), exports rose by NOK729 million to NOK3.7 billion in March.

Salmon exports jumped 19 percent year-on-year to NOK4.8 billion from January to March, both prices and exported quantities increased.

Herring exports rose by 33 percent to NOK375 million, with Russia being the largest importer.

Exports of mackerel rose by NOK233 million to NOK480 million. Russia and Japan were the top markets.

On the contrary, cod exports were hurt by a strong decrease in the exports of salt fish to Portugal.

The exports of salt fish halved to NOK246 million in the first three months of 2009.

US$1 = NOK6.47 (Apr 6)