January 8, 2014
Norway's 2013 seafood exports up 17% on-year
Norway's seafood exports showed strong growth in 2013, with the value of seafood exports totalling NOK61 billion (US$9.9 billion), 17% higher than in 2012.
Norway's value of last year's seafood exports is 13% higher than the previous record of NOK53.8 billion (US$8.7 billion) set in 2010.
"The key explanation for this new export record is the strong demand for Norwegian salmon on the world market, which has resulted in high prices in 2013," says chief executive officer Terje E. Martinussen from the Norwegian Seafood Council.
In 2013, the average price for fresh whole Norwegian salmon was NOK39.74 (US$6.44) per kilogramme (kg), 44% more than in 2012. The value of exports of Norwegian salmon and Norwegian Fjord Trout in 2013 totalled NOK42.2 billion (US$6.8 billion).
By the end of 2013, Norway had exported 56% more fresh Norwegian cod compared with 2012. The value of these exports was also 19% higher.
The value of Norway's exports of cod, saithe and haddock in 2013 totalled NOK10 billion (US$1.6 billion). The value of groundfish exports is thus on a par with the previous year, while the volume of exports has increased by 11%.
Currently, Norway exports seafood to some 140 countries worldwide, of which Russia is the most important market. In 2013, the value of exports of Norwegian seafood to Russia totalled NOK6.6 billion (US$1 billion), up by 10% from the previous year. This also positions Russia as the fourth biggest growth market for Norwegian seafood in 2013.
France is the second biggest market for Norwegian seafood, with exports valued at NOK5.9 billion (US$956 million), an increase of 20% from the previous year. This positions France as the second biggest growth market, second only to Poland.
The EU is the most important market area for the Norwegian seafood industry. In 2013, fully 59% of all seafood exports from Norway were destined for the EU. Norway is also the leading supplier of seafood to the countries of the EU.
Norway exported pelagic fish to a value of NOK6.5 billion (US$1 billion) in 2013. This is a reduction of 18% from the previous year and is largely attributable to lower quotas and lower prices for herring. The value of mackerel exports totalled NOK2.9 billion (US$470 million), a decline of 4%.
Exports of prawns and shellfish in 2013 were valued at NOK475 million (US$77 million), down by 42% compared to 2012.
This article is made possible through the contribution of www.fis.com.
