December 6, 2007

Norway seafood exports up at US$769 million

Norwegian seafood exports rose to a record of US$769.1 million in November, up by US$51.3 million on-year, according to the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).

Norway's monthly seafood exports exceeded US$732.4 million for the first time.

Salmon exports fetched around US$311.3 million. A total of 75,300 tonnes of salmon were exported, up by 10,000 tonnes.

Mackerel exports rose by 78 percent to US$102.7 million with Japan and China as the largest importers.

Herring exports went up 13 percent to US$115.7 million. Russia and Ukraine were the largest export markets.

The exports of salt cod also rose by US$11.9 million to US$68.5 million. Exports to Portugal were valued at US$28.7 million, while Brazil exports were at US$19 million.

Overall, Russia was the largest export market for Norwegian seafood, with imports of US$111 million, up by 61 percent.

France was the second largest market with imports of US$69.6 million. Japan ranked third with imports of US$67.8 million, up by US$15.9 million.

In the first 11 months of 2007, seafood exports totalled US$6.152 billion, up by US$256.4 million from a year ago.