Downturn in exports of pelagic fish in first half-year

In the first half-year of 2010, the value of exports of herring totalled NOK 1.9 billion, down by NOK 171 million or 8% compared to the first half-year of 2009. In the same period, exports of mackerel were down by 24% from NOK 652 million in 2009 to NOK 491 million in 2010. Exports of capelin totalled NOK 344 million in the first half-year, a decline of 34%, reports www.megafishnet.com with refence to NSEC.

"In the first half-year of 2010, export volumes have been lower for whole herring, capelin and mackerel compared to the first half-year of 2009, although exports of herring fillets were up. At the same time, prices for the most important products have been significantly down on last year, which has resulted in a decline in the total value of exports of NOK 468 million," explains senior analyst Kristin Lien from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. "Also in the first half-year of 2010, exports of pelagic fish totalled NOK 2.9 billion, down by 14% compared to the same period last year."

Russia biggest market for herring in first half-year

In the first half-year of 2010, the volume of exports of frozen whole herring totalled 263,000 tonnes, down by 5,000 tonnes compared to the same period last year. In June, exports of frozen whole herring totalled 18,000 tonnes, a decline of 10% from June 2009. In the first half-year of 2010, Russia was the biggest market with 80,000 tonnes, down by 3,000 tonnes compared to the same period last year. Nigeria is the second biggest market with 62,000 tonnes, followed by Ukraine with 38,000 tonnes, Egypt with 22,000 tonnes and the Netherlands with 15,000 tonnes. Exports to Egypt and the Netherlands have increased, while exports to Nigeria and Ukraine have fallen. The average price of fresh whole herring in the first half-year of 2010 was down by 8% compared to the same period last year.
Growth in exports of herring fillets

In the first half-year of 2010, the volume of exports of frozen herring fillet products totalled 96,000 tonnes, an increase of 11,000 tonnes. In June this year, the volume of exports of herring fillet products totalled 8,000 tonnes, up by 2,000 tonnes from June 2009. In the first half-year of 2010, the biggest export markets for herring fillets were Russia with 33,000 tonnes, Germany with 30,000 tonnes, Poland with 12,000 tonnes and Ukraine with 5,000 tonnes. Ukraine was the only market to show a decline in exports compared to the same period last year, with all the other markets showing significant growth. The average price for fillet products in the first half-year of 2010 was down by 17%.
Sizeable exports of mackerel to Turkey in 2010

In the first half-year of 2010, the volume of exports of frozen mackerel totalled 43,000 tonnes, a decline of 5,000 tonnes. The biggest markets are Russia with 9,000 tonnes, Turkey with 8,000 tonnes and China with 7,000 tonnes. Compared to the first half-year of 2009, the volume of exports to China and Turkey has increased while exports to Russia have shown a decline. The average price for frozen whole mackerel in the first half-year of 2010 was down by 18%.
Capelin exports down from last year

First half-year exports of capelin totalled 90,000 tonnes in volume, down 30,000 tonnes compared to the first half-year of 2009. In the first half-year of 2010, Ukraine was the biggest export market with 29,000 tonnes (down by 4,000 tonnes), followed by Russia with 19,000 tonnes (down by 32,000 tonnes), Japan with 13,000 tonnes, Lithuania with 11,000 tonnes and China with 6,000 tonnes. The average price for frozen whole capelin in the first half-year of 2010 was down by 12%.