May 9, 2012

 

Norway's April seafood exports drop by 12%

 

 

The value of exports of Norwegian seafood in April totalled NOK 3.7 billion (US$633.4 million), a decline of 12% compared to April in 2011.

 

This year to date, seafood exports have totalled NOK16.8 billion (US$2.9 million) in value, down by 6% from the same period last year.

 

"One cause of the downturn in the value of exports of Norwegian seafood is the 30% drop in the price of Norwegian Salmon in April from its record level in 2011," explained Egil Ove Sundheim, director of market information with the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC). "In addition, we have seen some sectors of the trade relocate their warehousing facilities to Norway, in part due to the economic challenges many importers are currently facing in Europe."

 

Exports of Norwegian salmon in April were valued at NOK2.2 billion (US$376.4 million), down by 12% compared to the same month last year. This year to date, the value of exports of Norwegian salmon has totalled NOK9 billion (US$1.5 billion), a decline of 10% compared to the same period last year.

 

This downturn is attributable to lower export prices. The average price of whole fresh Norwegian salmon in April was NOK 29.58 (US$5.06). As in the previous month, France and Russia are the biggest markets for Norwegian salmon.

 

April saw exports of Norwegian fjord trout increase to a total of NOK145 million (US$25 million). This year to date, the value of exports of Norwegian fjord trout has totalled NOK 552 million (US$94.5 million). The biggest markets for Norwegian fjord trout are Russia and Japan.

 

The value of herring exports fell in April, to a total of NOK208 million (US$35.6 million). For the year to date, herring exports have totalled NOK 1.8 billion (US$308 million) less than in the same period last year. The biggest markets for herring from Norway are Russia and Germany.

 

In April, exports of mackerel increased in value, to a total of NOK97 million (US$16.6 million) and for the year to date have been up, to total NOK883 million (US$151.1 million). The biggest markets for mackerel are Russia and China.

 

The value of clipfish exports fell in April to a total of NOK 151 million (US$25.9 million). A breakdown of this figure shows that clipfish of Norwegian cod accounted for NOK 99 million (US$17 million) and saithe NOK45 million (US$7.7 million), with the remainder accounted for by ling, torsk and other groundfish.

 

April exports of salted fish including fillets fell in value, to a total of NOK120 million (US$21 million), of which Norwegian cod accounted for NOK118.6 million (US$20.3 million).

 

In April, the value of exports of fresh Norwegian cod including fillets from fishery fell, to a total of NOK122 million (US$20.1 million), while exports of frozen Norwegian cod including fillets showed growth, to a total of NOK107 million (US$18.3 million).