May 12, 2008

Norway's April seafood exports up 15 percent on-year
 

Norway seafood exports grew by 15 percent on-year to NKR 2.9 billion (US$570.5 million) in April 2008, according to figures released by the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC) and Statistics Norway on Wednesday (May 7, 2008).
 

There is a strong international demand for Norwegian seafood despite the gloomy world economy and strengthening Norwegian currency, said Egil Sundheim, information director of NSEC.

Salmon trout exports jumped 105 percent to NKR 157 million (US$31 million). Russia is the biggest market, accounting for NKR 67 million (US$13.2 million) of the exports.

Salmon exports went up 3.4 percent to NKR 1.3 billion (US$255.6 million) with its Polish and Russian markets showing the biggest growth. France, however, was the largest market for Norwegian salmon, accounting for NKR 226 million (US$44.4 million) of the exports.

Herring exports rose 78 percent to NKR 186 million (US$36.6 million) while mackerel exports increased 8 percent to NKR 37 million (US$7.3 million). Exports of salt fish soared 80 percent NKR 322 million (US$63.3 million) but bacalao exports fell 5 percent to about NKR 180 million (US$35.4 million).

Portugal was the largest destination for Norwegian seafood exports in April 2008, followed by France and Russia. Exports to the EU increased 9 percent to just under NKR 2 billion (US$393.4 million).

However, for the first four months of 2008, Norwegian seafood exports dropped by 1 percent on-year to NKR 12.3 billion (US$2.4 billion).