May 5, 2017

 

 

Norwegian seafood exports in April decreased 23% to 151,000 tonnes, valued at NOK6.8 billion (US$786.43 million), down 7% or by NOK529 million compared with April 2016, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council.

 

In the four months through April, Norway exported 886,000 tonnes of seafood worth NOK31 billion ($3.58 billion). Year-to-date export volumes were at the same level as last year, while the year-to-date value of Norwegian seafood exports increased 8% or by NOK2.3 billion.

 

"The decline in seafood exports in April is mainly due to a shift in Easter, which again explains some of the decline in export volumes for our important seafood products such as salmon and clipfish", said Asbjørn Warvik Rørtveit, director of market insight, Norwegian Seafood Council.

 

Salmon exports

 

Salmon exports in April declined 11% or by 8,800 tonnes to 60,000 tonnes, worth NOK4.9 billion. The value of Norwegian salmon exports was at the same level as April 2016. From January to April, Norway exported 305,000 tonnes of salmon with a total value of NOK21 billion.

 

Just as in the first quarter, Poland, France and the US were the largest export markets for salmon from Norway in April.

 

"Strong price growth compared with the same period last year has led to a value added of NOK2.7 billion or 15 percent for Norwegian salmon exports so far this year. A trend we have seen over time is that exports to the EU are reduced, while exports to overseas markets have increased", said Norwegian Seafood Council Analyst Paul Aandahl.

 

Trout exports

 

In April, Norway exported 2,480 tonnes of trout worth NOK199 million. Volume fell by 5,400 tonnes or 69%, while the value of trout exports fell by NOK204 million or 51%, compared with April last year.

 

In the four months through April, Norway exported 11,100 tonnes of trout worth NOK874 million.

 

Japan, Belarus and the US were the largest trout export markets in April.

 

Norway's king crab exports in April decreased by 15 tonnes or 24% to 46 tonnes, while export value (NOK44 million) remained at the same level as in April last year.

 

Norway exported 646 tonnes of prawn (down 12% or by 86 tonnes) valued at NOK44 million in April (down 30% year-on-year or by NOK19 million).