December 13, 2017

 

Norway's seafood export volume up 25% in November and 6% in first 11 months

 

 

Norway's seafood exports in November increased 25% to 286,000 from a year before, with value on par with November last year, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).

 

In the 11 months through November, Norway exported 2.4 million tonnes of seafood valued at NOK86.5 billion (US$10.38 billion). This is a volume increase of 6% and a value increase of 4%, or NOK3.3 billion from the same period last year.

 

NSC Director Asbjørn W. Rørtveit said they expect total export value for Norwegian seafood this year to exceed last year's "by a comfortable margin" despite the salmon's continuing price decline. "The explanation for this is the increased volume of salmon combined with a relatively high price level", Rørtveit said. The average price for whole fresh salmon in November was NOK50.68 (US$6) per kilogramme against NOK61.71 ($7.40)/kg in November 2016.

 

Salmon exports

 

November exports of salmon, Norway's top seafood product, reached 103,000 tonnes, an increase of 11% or 10,200 tonnes from the same month last year. Export value amounted to NOK5.7 billion ($683.8 million), a decline of 5% or NOK291 million from the same period last year.

 

From January to November, exports of salmon totaled 909,000 tonnes, an increase of 2% from the same period last year. Value hit NOK59 billion ($7.08 billion), an increase of 7% or NOK4 billion compared with the same period last year. 

 

Poland and France were the largest salmon markets in November.

 

Exports to China is now at the highest level in two years after five weeks of sustained increase in exports of Norwegian salmon, the NSC said.

 

"Currently, Norwegian salmon goes to the main destinations Beijing and Shanghai, and importers report that import processes have become simpler-a significant and positive step towards the normalization of salmon exports to China", said Sigmund Bjørgo, who is with the Norwegian Seafood Council´s Fisheries Mission in China.

 

Trout, prawn, crab exports

 

Norway exported 5,600 tonnes of trout in November, up 36% or 1,400 tonnes from last year. Value amounted to NOK328 million ($39.34 million), up 13% compared with November 2016.

 

From January to September, Norway exported 35,200 tonnes of trout worth NOK2.6 billion ($311.87 million). This is a volume decline of 45% or 29,100 tonnes, while value fell 28% or NOK1 billion compared with the same period last year.

 

Belarus and Japan imported the most trout from Norway in November.

 

Norway exported 937 tonnes of prawns worth some NOK74 million ($8.88 million) in November. This is an increase of 129 tonnes or 16%, while export value increased by NOK15 million or 16%. Sweden and the UK were the biggest prawn markets in November.

 

Norway exported 139 tonnes of king crabs worth NOK40 million ($4.8 million) in November. This is a volume decrease of 13% or 21 tonnes, while export value fell 5% or NOK2 million compared with the same month last year. The Netherlands and South Korea were the largest export markets for king crab in November.