32 Months in a row of Record Salmon Exports

Exports of Norwegian Salmon in April 2011 totalled a record setting value of NOK 2.6 billion. This is an increase of 16% or NOK 356 million compared to April last year, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. April also saw the volume of exports up by 6% to 57,000 tonnes, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to NSEC.

"In April, exports of Norwegian Salmon set a record for the 32nd month in a row. This is due primarily to the global demand for salmon, which has resulted in prices increasing worldwide with consequent higher export revenues for Norway," explains Paul Aandahl, market analyst from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.
Salmon prices trending upwards

Salmon prices have been steadily increasing during 2011 and in April the average price for fresh whole Norwegian Salmon with head was NOK 42.69 per kg. This is NOK 1.97 higher than the previous month and NOK 3.88 up on the same month last year. This year to date, the average price for fresh whole Norwegian Salmon is NOK 40.88 per kg, up by NOK 6.39 compared to the same period last year.
EU market sees continued growth in demand

Exports of Norwegian seafood to the EU in the first tertial increased in value by 17%. This is a full percentage point higher than the average growth rate for all markets. The volume of exports in the same period was down by 1%. Exports to Poland, Denmark and the UK declined, while exports to the Baltic countries and the Czech Republic were up. The volume of direct exports to the biggest consumer markets, France and Germany, was unchanged.
Steep fall in exports to the USA

The strong growth in exports to the USA seen in 2009 and 2010 has gone into steep reversal. In the first tertial, the value of exports to the USA totalled NOK 422 million. This is a reduction of NOK 224 million compared to the same period last year. The downturn is attributable primarily to reduced exports of fresh fillets.

Biggest growth seen in exports to Asia and eastern Europe

Increasing quantities of Norwegian Salmon are being consumed in the east. Despite the relatively high price of Norwegian Salmon, the volume of exports to markets in eastern Europe and Asia is on the increase. In the first tertial, the volume of exports of Norwegian Salmon products to these regions totalled 67,000 tonnes, an increase of 8% compared to the same period last year. The value of exports in the same period showed strong growth of 30% to a total of NOK 2.8 billion. The strongest growth was in exports to Russia, Japan and Hong Kong.
Exports of Norwegian Fjord Trout down

The first tertial saw the value of exports of Norwegian Fjord Trout decline by NOK 80 million to a total of NOK 437 million. This is consequential upon a 30% decline in the volume of exports to 9,576 tonnes. For the year to date, the average price of fresh Norwegian Fjord Trout has increased by NOK 8.07 to NOK 46.61 per kg.