Late Easter Reduses Clipfish Exports

In January, exports of groundfish including clipfish, salted fish and stockfish totalled NOK 809 million. This is a reduction of 1% or NOK 9.6 million compared to January 2010. Exports of fresh and frozen products increased, while there was a reduction in exports of clipfish to Brazil, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to Norwegian Seafood Export Council.

"Clipfish is eaten at Christmas and Easter in Brazil, but with Easter coming late this year we are seeing a corresponding shift in export patterns," explains market analyst Ove Johansen from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council

In January, the value of clipfish exports totalled NOK 262 million, a reduction of 27% or NOK 95.5 million from January 2010. The volume of exports totalled 7,568 tonnes, down by 18% or 1,624 tonnes compared to the same month last year. The biggest reduction was in exports of Norwegian Cod clipfish, which declined in value by NOK 74.8 million, while exports of torsk and ling clipfish were down by NOK 15.6 million and NOK 15.8 million respectively. However, exports of Norwegian Saithe clipfish increased by NOK 10.5 million, with Africa and the Caribbean accounting for the increase.
Good month for exports of salted fish

In January, exports of all salted fish products including fillets totalled NOK 53 million, up by 13% or NOK 6.3 million compared to January 2010. The volume of exports in January was 1,540 tonnes, an increase of 23 tonnes or 2% compared to the same month last year. Exports of whole salted Norwegian Cod increased in value by 25% from NOK 29,5 million to NOK 36.7 million, with Portugal accounting for the majority of this growth.

Continued growth in stockfish exports
The value of exports of all stockfish products totalled NOK 62 million in January. This is an increase of 46% or NOK 19.6 million compared to January 2010. The volume of exports was up by 11% to a total of 625 tonnes.

Exports of Norwegian Cod stockfish from Lofoten to Italy increased in value by NOK 17.9 million to a total of NOK 49.6 million. The price per kg in January was NOK 139.49, an increase of 36% from January last year.
Export record for fresh fish

Exports of fresh groundfish products from fishing increased in January by over 34% compared to January 2010 to a total value of NOK 154.5 million. This sets a new record for the month of January. The biggest increases were noted for exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod and haddock. The value of exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod totalled NOK 53.3 million, while exports of fresh haddock stood at NOK 19 million. This represents growth in value from January 2010 of 61% and 68% respectively.  

The value of exports of fresh fillets of Norwegian Cod, Norwegian Saithe and haddock totalled NOK 58.3 million, an increase of 22% from January last year. The volume of exports was 921 tonnes, and never before have exports of fresh fillets reached such volumes for the month of January.
Price growth for frozen groundfish products

The value of exports of frozen groundfish products in January totalled NOK 236.1 million, an increase of over 9% compared to the same month last year. However, the volume of exports in the same period shows a slight downturn of 2.5 %. The average price increase was over 12%. The price for fresh whole Norwegian Cod was up from NOK 15.91 per kg in January 2010 to NOK 20.51 per kg in January this year, an increase of 29%.  
Growth in fish farming

The value of exports of farmed groundfish in January totalled NOK 32.8 million. This is 12% or NOK 3.5 million up from January 2010. Much of this growth is attributable to farmed whole Norwegian Cod, of which total exports in January were valued at NOK 24.4 million, an increase of 6% or NOK 1.4 million from January 2010. Sweden and Spain are the biggest markets, receiving 28% and 22% respectively of all exports of farmed whole Norwegian Cod.