Historically high exports of Norwegian Cod in April
In April, Norwegian exports of groundfish including clipfish, salted fish and stockfish totalled NOK 821.8 million. This is an increase of 27% or NOK 173.5 million compared to April 2009. The volume of exports increased by 23% or 6,575 tonnes to a total of 34,553 tonnes, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. This is attributable to record volumes of clipfish exports and to strong growth in exports of fresh and frozen Norwegian Cod and haddock. Average prices also showed an increase in April, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to NSEC.
"Autumn 2008 marked the start of a major downturn in prices for a number of groundfish products," points out market analyst Ove Johansen from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. "From April last year to April this year, average export prices have increased in both Norwegian kroner (by 3%) and the currency of commerce, the euro (by 14%). This is an indication that prices have bottomed out and that the market is showing signs of recovery."
Record exports of clipfish
In April, exports of clipfish totalled NOK 176.6 million, up by 18% or NOK 26.7 million on the same month last year. The volume of exports totalled 5,093 tonnes, which is the highest volume of clipfish exports ever recorded for the month of April.
Exports of Norwegian Cod clipfish in April increased in value by 25% to a total of NOK 95.6 million compared to the same month last year. Portugal, which is the biggest market, accounted for 70% of the total value. The volume of exports of Norwegian Cod clipfish totalled 2,200 tonnes, an increase of 26% or 452 tonnes from the same month last year.
The value of exports of Norwegian Saithe clipfish was up by 2% to a total of NOK 68.5 million. In terms of volume, however, exports showed a decline of 14%. The price per kg of Norwegian Saithe clipfish in April averaged NOK 27.42, up by 18% from April last year.
Big increase in exports of salted fish
Exports of salted whole Norwegian Cod in April totalled NOK 123.5 million, an increase of NOK 72.9 million or 144% compared to the same month last year. The volume of exports of salted whole Norwegian Cod in April stood at 4,106 tonnes, up from 1,537 tonnes in April 2009, although prices fell by 9% in the same period. Portugal is the biggest market, with a share of 78% of total exports in April.
Reduction in exports of stockfish
Exports of stockfish in April fell by NOK 13.1 million or 31% to a total of NOK 28.6 million. The volume of exports was down by 29% and prices dipped by 3% compared to April last year. Exports of saithe and other stockfish fell in volume, although the volume of exports of Norwegian Cod stockfish from Lofoten, the main product, increased by 8%. The price of Norwegian Cod stockfish from Lofoten continued to fall and was noted at NOK 90.57 per kg in April, down by 25% compared to the same month last year.
Good month for exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod and haddock
Exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod in April totalled NOK 74.5 million. This is an increase of 64% or NOK 29 million compared to the same month last year. The volume of exports was 3,750 tonnes, which is 87% up on the same month last year.
Exports of fresh whole haddock in April totalled NOK 22 million, up by NOK 12.6 million compared to the same month last year. The volume of exports grew by 1,200 tonnes to a total of 1,858 tonnes, an increase of 183%. In the same period, the price of haddock declined by 18%.
Major exports of frozen whole Norwegian Cod and haddock
Exports of frozen whole Norwegian Cod in April increased by NOK 15.7 million to a total of NOK 44.9 million compared to the same month last year. The volume of exports grew by 66% to a total of 2,931 tonnes.
Exports of frozen whole haddock in April totalled NOK 80 million, an increase of 88% or NOK 37.4 million compared to the same month last year. The volume of exports of frozen whole haddock totalled 5,906 tonnes, which is 2,296 tonnes up on April last year. Frozen whole haddock increased in price by 15% to NOK 13.53 per kg. China, Poland and the UK are the biggest importers of haddock from Norway.
Farmed Norwegian Cod
Exports of farmed whole Norwegian Cod in April totalled NOK 12.2 million, an increase of NOK 2.4 million from April 2009. The volume of exports in April totalled 521 tonnes, which is 44% up on the same month last year. The average price in April was NOK 23.39 per kg, which is NOK 3.53 higher than the average price for fresh whole Norwegian Cod caught in the wild.