July 6, 2007

Norway's seafood exports for first half of 2007 hits US$3 billion
 

Norwegian seafood exports rose 9.0 percent on-year to hit a record 17.8 billion Norwegian crowns (US$3.055 billion) in the first half of 2007, according to the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).

Increased exports to Portugal, Russia and Denmark accounted for the growth, with salmon, cod and haddock registering most of the increase.

The value of salmon exports rose by 7 percent to 8.6 billion crowns (US$1.476 billion) accounting for almost half of exports. Tonnage rose by 26 percent to 329,000 tonnes.

The value of salmon exports to the EU rose 19 percent to 6.2 billion  crowns (US$1.064 billion) while exports to Russia rose 37 percent  to 585 million  crowns ($100.4 million).

Fresh cod exports rose 15 percent  to 321 million  crowns (US$55.1 million), due to higher demand from the EU, especially Denmark and Portugal.

Frozen cod exports rose 48 percent to 263 million crowns (US$45.1 million), driven by exports to Portugal, the Netherlands and China.

The exports of fresh cod fillet rose by 20 percent to 254 million  crowns (US$43.6 million).

Bacalao exports rose by 23 percent by value to 927 million  crown (US$159.1 million), with the rise seen to Brazil, Portugal and Italy. Tonnnage rose 7 percent to 15,000 tonnes.

Fresh haddock rose 75 percent  to 144 million  crowns (US$24.7 million) while frozen haddock exports soared 68 percent to 309 million  crowns (US$53 million). The largest increase was again in EU countries, especially the UK, the Netherlands, Poland and Denmark.