Norway posts record salmon exports in January

 

 

Salmon exports in January reached NOK1.8 billion (US$303 million), up NOK260 million (US$44 million) from January 2009.

 

The January figure is the highest export value ever recorded for salmon, according to the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).

France, Poland and Russia are the biggest importers of salmon, and exports of fresh salmon fillets to the US showed a boost.

 

The export price of fresh salmon was NOK29.16 (US$5) per kg, NOK0.54 (US$0.09) higher than a year ago and NOK0.19 (US$0.032) higher than in December 2009.

 

Salmon export growth was strongest in Asia and the US at 28% and 276%, respectively.

 

The German salmon market is the biggest after France and the UK. The value of direct exports to Germany increased by 26% to NOK98 million (US$16.5 million).

 

In January, Norwegian clipfish exports to Brazil increased 3,000 tonnes from the same period last year. Exports of cod clipfish rose by 23% to NOK187 million (US$31.4 million) with the volume up by almost 50%. Brazil showed a growth in value of 186% to NOK122 million (US$20.5 million) while value fell for Portugal by NOK41 million (US$6.9 million), down nearly 50% from January 2009.

 

Exports of salted whole cod grew 45% to 954 tonnes, although lower prices yielded only a 15% increase to NOK30 million (US$5.05 million). Most exports went to Portugal and Spain.

 

The value of fjord trout exports declined by NOK10 million (US$1.7 million) to NOK125 million (US$21 million) due to a reduced volume of exports. The main trout importers are Russia and China.

 

Herring exports reached NOK473 million (US$79.6 million), down by NOK71 million (US$12 million) or 13% compared with January last year, due to a 16% fall in price to NOK4.59 (US$0.77) per kg.

 

Mackerel exports fell by 16% to NOK163 million (US$27.4 million) also due to reduced prices. Compared with January 2009, the price fell by 24% to NOK9.43 (US$1.6) per kg.