January 10, 2013

 

 

In 2012, Norway's seafood export totalled NOK51.6 billion (US$9 billion), a NOK1.8 billion (US$321 million) reduction from the previous year, which is the second consecutive year Norway's seafood export is reduced.

 

Norway exported 2.36 million tonnes of seafood in 2012. This is a 78,000-tonne reduction compared to 2011, according to figures presented by the Norwegian Seafood Council.

 

"In spite of economic difficulties in major seafood markets, Norway has held its strong position and increased its market share. Norway is now the largest exporter of seafood to both the EU and Russia. Around 20% of EU's imported seafood comes from Norway while the same figure for Russia is as high as 38%," said CEO Terje E Martinussen from the NSC.

 

The EU is Norway's most important market and 57% of Norway's seafood export was sold to the European market in 2012. The total export from Norway to the EU was worth NOK29.6 billion (US$5 billion). A NOK1.3 billion (US$232 million) reduction to the EU was caused by lower prices on cod and salmon, but at the same time the volumes of salmon grew substantially.

 

Russia ended 2012 as Norway's most important market with a total export of NOK6 billion (US$1 billion). It is also in Russia where the biggest growth can be found at NOK788 million (US$141 million). France was the second largest market with an export value of NOK4.9 billion (US$875 million).

 

The largest setback can be found in the export of seafood to Japan. It ended at NOK2.1 billion (US$375 million) and the reduction of NOK755 million (US$135 million) was largely caused by lower mackerel prices in 2012.

 

Growing volumes of both salmon and trout gave increased export value for aquaculture products. The 2012 growth for salmon and trout was NOK600 million (US$107 million) representing a total of NOK31.5 billion ((US$6 billion). Aquaculture was 61% of Norway's total seafood export in 2012.

 

Salmon is the largest product from Norway, whose exports totalled of NOK29.6 billion (US$5 billion), while trout contributed with an export value of NOK1.7 billion (US$304 million).

 

Following a record year for Norwegian fisheries in 2011, last year was troubled by both lower prices and volumes. The export value of Norwegian fisheries ended at NOK20.1 billion (US$4 billion) which is a fall of NOK2.4 billion (US$428 million).

 

Falling mackerel prices gave a reduction of NOK634 million (US$113 million), while reduced herring quotas were followed by a reduced export value of NOK183 million (US$33 million). Cod and saithe were reduced by NOK497 million (US$89 million) and NOK485 million (US$87 million) respectively.

 

Norway has exported prawns and shellfish for NOK800 million (US$143 million), which is a 10% drop compared to 2011.