June 7, 2007

Norway's salmon exports up by more than 10 percent

Salmon exports have risen at least 10 percent in the year-to-date to US$1.2 billion) from the year-ago period.

Norway's salmon exports rose by 56 million Norwegian crowns (US $9.4 million) on the year to 1.5 billion crowns (US$251.4 million) in May 2007, figures by the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC) showed.

A total 49,801 tonnes of salmon were exported, up by 14,086 tonnes.

Exports of Norwegian salmon to the EU rose by 33 percent, while exports to countries outside the EU were up 61 percent to 7,723 tonnes. Exports to Thailand doubled to 262 percent, and exports to Russia rose 41 percent .

Exports to South Korea soared 121 percent to 549 tonnes, as a result of the agreement between the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and South Korea which eliminated the 20 percent duty on fresh salmon.

Meanwhile, exports of salmon trout to Japan, traditionally the biggest market for the product, shrunk by 74 percent to 257 tonnes, due to competition from Chile.