February 25, 2020

Strong start for Norwegian seafood as exports post 15% increase in January

Norway exported 207,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK9.8 billion (US$1.045 billion) in January. While volume was at the same level as last year, export value increased 15% or by NOK1.2 billion, compared with January 2019.

"The Norwegian seafood year starts with a historically high level of January exports", said Tom-Jørgen Gangsø, director of market insight and market access at the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).

He said higher prices of salmon and whitefish, as well as trout, herring and mackerel, along with a weak Norwegian kroner contributed to the growth in seafood export value.

Exports of salmon, which is Norway's largest species of fish exports, reached 88,000 tonnes in January, valued at NOK6.8 billion ($724.9 million). This is an increase of 3% in volume, while value increased 21% or by NOK1.2 billion compared with January 2018.

The average price for fresh whole salmon in January was NOK75.86 ($8.09) per kilogramme, considerably higher than January 2019's NOK62.44 ($6.65)/kg.

Poland, France and Denmark were the largest importers of Norwegian salmon.

Paul T. Aandahl, seafood analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council, said there was a strong growth in export value for all regions, with a 22% increase recorded for the EU, 20% for Asia and 23% for North America.

   IMAGE: NORWEGIAN SEAFOOD COUNCIL