March 7, 2022

Norway exports 89,700 tonnes of salmon worth US$868 million in February

Norway exported 89,700 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 7.8 billion (~US$868 million; NOK 1 = US$0.11) in February 2022, with the price for fresh whole salmon at an average of NOK 82.64 (~US$9.20) per kg. This was 62% higher year-on-year and 9% higher than the previous highest record month in January 2020, Fish Information & Services reported.

Paul T. Aandahl, a seafood analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council, said the lower volumes in combination with rising demand have resulted in record prices.

France was the biggest growth market for Norwegian salmon for the second month in a row. Italy was the second largest growth market in February.

Gunvar L. Wie, the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to Italy, said there is a strong growth in demand from 2021 continuing to this year, thanks to an increase in domestic consumption of salmon and reopening of the restaurant industry.

For the second month in a row, France was the largest growth market for Norwegian salmon.

"This is a continuation of a positive trend from the second half of 2021. The growth must be seen in connection with the reopening of society and increased consumption in the restaurant market", says Aandahl.

Norwegian trout exports also increased 2%, with 4,000 tonnes of trout worth NOK 328 million were exported in February. Export value increased by NOK 90 million, or 38% compared with February 2021.

The USA, Thailand, and Belarus were the largest markets for Norwegian trout in February.

-      Fish Information & Services