Norwegian seafood exports hit record high  

Norway's seafood exports in April totalled NOK3.7 billion (US$595 million), a 10% increase compared to April 2009, while its year-to-date exports stood at NOK16 billion (US$2.58 billion), an 16% rise on-year, marking new export records for both periods, Norwegian Seafood Export Council said.

“The growth in seafood exports for the year to date is due to two factors - growth in exports of Norwegian Salmon at higher prices, and overall growth in total exports of Norwegian Cod,” said director of market information Egil Ove Sundheim from the council.

At the end of April, the value of exports of Norwegian Salmon for the year to date totalled NOK8.7 billion (US$1.4 billion), an increase of NOK2 billion (US$322 million) or 31% compared to the same period last year. This growth is attributed to higher export prices combined with growth in the volume of exports.

During April, the value of exports of Norwegian Salmon increased by NOK373 million (US$60 million) or 20%. The average price for whole fresh Norwegian Salmon in April was NOK38.88 (US$6.27), up from NOK31.98 (US$5.16) in April 2009. France, Poland and Russia are the biggest importers of Norwegian Salmon.

In the first four months of 2010, exports of herring declined in value by 11% to a total of NOK1.5 billion (US$242 million). Russia was the biggest importer of herring from Norway, with imports for the period totalling NOK419 million (US$68 million). In the same period, exports of mackerel fell by NOK102 million (US$16 million) to NOK435 million (US$70 million). Russia and Turkey are the biggest importers of mackerel from Norway.