April 16, 2012

 

Norway's pelagic exports rise in first quarter

 

 

First quarter exports of pelagic fish have set a new record this year, with exports up by 10% to NOK2.6 billion (US$446 million).

 

Herring also showed a decline, with exports down by 23% in value to a total of NOK 350 million (US$60 million), while exports of mackerel were up by 23% in value to a total of NOK 142 million (US$24 million).

 

"Pelagic fish exports have set a new first quarter record, largely due to the continuing high prices for pelagic products which look set to go even higher," comments senior analyst Kristin Lien from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).

 

"The biggest volume of pelagic fish exports so far this year has gone to the markets in Russia, Ukraine and Germany. The challenge ahead will be to develop segments for the fish in markets that can accommodate these higher prices."

 

In March the volume of exports of frozen whole herring totalled 22,000 tonnes, down 24,000 tonnes from March last year. Herring exports have gone mainly to Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, Lithuania and Nigeria. Exports to Russia have increased, while exports to the other markets show a decline.

 

Export prices for herring have been trending upwards throughout the 2011/2012 season, setting one record price after another. In March the price of frozen whole herring was NOK 7.74 (US$1.33), up by NOK 1.72 (US$0.30) or 29% from March 2011. This year to date exports of frozen whole herring total 92,000 tonnes, which is 47,000 tonnes down on the same period in 2011.

  

In March 2012 the export volume of frozen herring fillet products totalled 9,000 tonnes, down by 4,000 tonnes from the same month last year. Herring fillet exports have gone primarily to the Russian and German markets.

 

The average price in March was NOK 15.15 (US$2.60) per kilogramme, an increase of 43% from March last year. This year to date exports of frozen herring fillet products total 46,000 tonnes, a decrease of 16,000 tonnes compared to the same period last year.

 

The volume of exports of frozen whole mackerel in March 2012 totalled 11,000 tonnes, an increase of 2,000 tonnes from March last year. Russia, China, Nigeria and Turkey were the biggest importers.

 

The average export price in March for frozen whole mackerel was NOK 12.72 (US$2.18) per kilogramme, up by NOK 1.12 (US$0.19) from March last year. The volume of frozen whole mackerel exports this year to date totals 58,000 tonnes, an increase of 10,000 tonnes compared to the same period last year.

 

The volume of exports of frozen whole capelin in the first quarter of 2012 totalled 53,000 tonnes, an increase of 11,000 tonnes or 27% compared to the 1st quarter of 2011. The biggest markets are Russia, China, Japan and the Netherlands. In the 1st quarter of 2012 the average export price for frozen whole capelin was NOK 3.91 (US$0.67) per kilogramme, down by NOK0.75 (US$0.13) from the first quarter of 2011.