December 10, 2009

Norway seafood exports mark record levels in November

Newly released figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC) for November 2009 show that seafood exports so far have already surpassed exports achieved for the whole of 2008, which itself was a record year.

For the year to date, seafood exports have totalled NOK40.4 billion (US$7.05 billion), an increase of NOK5.4 billion (US$943.6 million) or 15% compared to the same period last year.

According to NSEC director of market information Egil Ove Sundheim, this shows that the demand for Norwegian seafood products remains very robust in an international market severely marked by the economic instability that has seen many other export sectors suffer.

Exports of seafood in November totalled NOK4.8 billion (US$838.7 million), an increase of NOK500 million (US$87.3 million) compared to November last year.

The value of exports of Norwegian salmon in November set a new monthly record with a total of NOK2.2 billion (US$384.4 million), up by NOK500 million (US$87.3 million) from the same month last year.

Good volume combined with continued good prices account for these record exports. Exports to the US showed the biggest increase in exports to an individual market in November, although Franceis still the biggest market for Norwegian salmon.

Exports of Norwegian Fjord Trout fell in November by 18% or NOK36 million (US$6.2 million) to a total value of NOK163 million (US$28.4 million), mainly due to a downturn in the volume of exports. Russia was the biggest market for Norwegian Fjord Trout exports in November, while Japan, the next biggest market, showed the steepest decline.

Exports of herring in November increased by NOK47 million (US$8.2 million) or 8% to a value of NOK662 million (US$115.6 million). Ukraine showed the biggest growth in November, increasing by NOK42 million (US$7.3 million) or 125% to a total value of NOK75 million (US$13.1 million). Russia remains the most important market, with exports valued at NOK193 million (US$33.7 million).