Record Year for Norwegian Cod & Groundfish Exports in 2011

In 2011, the value of exports of Norwegian groundfish including clipfish, salted fish and stockfish totalled NOK 11.2 billion to set a new export record. Compared to 2010, the value of exports was up by NOK 739 million or 7%. The biggest increase was in exports of frozen whole fish to China for further processing, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Exports of stockfish, both whole fish and fillets, totalled NOK 687 million in 2011, an increase of NOK 43.2 million compared to 2010

Never before have so much fresh and frozen groundfish products been exported as in 2011. The increase in the value of exports is largely accounted for by exports of frozen whole Norwegian Cod, saithe and haddock to China. In 2011, Norwegian exports of frozen groundfish to China totalled NOK 1.23 billion, up by 21% from 2010.

"The groundfish industry has had a good year, with record exports for a number of traditional and processed products combined with record exports of frozen whole fish that are exported for further processing," explains market analyst Ove Johansen from the Norwegian Seafood Council. "The proportion of groundfish without heads now being exported from Norway has increased to over 35%."

Clipfish record

In 2011, the value of exports of clipfish totalled NOK 3.8 billion and marks a new record high. The value of exports of Norwegian Cod clipfish was up by NOK 135 million or 7% from 2010 to NOK 2.1 billion in 2011. The value of exports of Norwegian Saithe clipfish increased by 5% from 2010 to NOK 1.34 billion in 2011. Brazil and Portugal are the biggest markets for clipfish, each accounting for one-third of the total export value.

Good year for salted fish

In 2011, the value of exports of all salted fish products totalled NOK 1 billion, up by 9% from 2010. The most important salted fish product is whole salted Norwegian Cod with an export value of NOK 861 million, 14% up from 2010. Portugal is the biggest market for salted fish, accounting for 60% of all exports of salted fish from Norway.

Record year for stockfish

Exports of stockfish, both whole fish and fillets, totalled NOK 687 million in 2011, an increase of NOK 43.2 million compared to 2010. Despite a reduction in the volume of exports, the value of exports of stockfish products has never been higher. Italy remains the most important market, although the record year is due to strong growth in the value of exports to Nigeria.

Exports of fresh groundfish top NOK 2 billion

The value of exports of fresh groundfish including farmed Norwegian Cod and halibut has for the first time topped NOK 2 billion or 3% compared to 2010. The increase is attributable to growth in exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod and haddock caught in the wild, and France in particular has increased its imports of both products. In 2011, exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod increased by NOK 170 million or 44% to a total of NOK 555 million.

Exports of whole Norwegian Cod from aquaculture declined in 2011 by NOK 57 million to a total of NOK 207 million, with Sweden and France accounting for much of the reduction, while exports to Spain were markedly up to make Spain the biggest market for farmed Norwegian Cod.

Reduction in exports of frozen fillets

In 2011, the value of exports of frozen groundfish fillets totalled NOK 1 billion, down by 7% from 2010. This reduction is largely attributable to a fall in exports of block-frozen fillets of Norwegian Cod and saithe, which were down by 22% and 51% respectively, while exports of other fillet products increase in value by 1% in 2011. Germany was the market showing the biggest reduction in imports for frozen fillets, with a fall in value of NOK 31.5 million to a total of NOK 50.2 million.