Portugal simply must have clipfish for Christmas

Exports of groundfish from Norway in November totalled NOK 1.1 billion, which marks a new November export record. Exports were up in value by 32% or NOK 270 million compared to the same month last year. The volume of exports increased by 16% or 5,113 tonnes to a total of 37,929 tonnes, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to NSEC.

"Portugal, despite being on the brink of economic collapse, increased its imports of clipfish in November by a massive 61%," says market analyst Ove Johansen from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. "This says something about the unique and strong position that Bacalhau da Nourega enjoys in Portugal. The Portuguese simply must have clipfish for Christmas - and it has to be Norwegian."

Clipfish exports in November totalled NOK 428.6 million or 10,933 tonnes. This is an increase in value of 51% and an increase in volume of 49% compared to November 2009. Exports of Norwegian Cod clipfish increased by more than NOK 100 million, while exports of Norwegian Saithe clipfish increased by more than NOK 50 million. Brazil, the next biggest market for clipfish after Portugal, imported a total of 3,544 tonnes in November, up by 57% compared to the same month last year.
Top month for stockfish

The value of exports of all stockfish products in November totalled NOK 105.2 million, an increase of 83% or NOK 47.8 million compared to the same month last year. Exports of Norwegian Cod stockfish from Lofoten in November totalled NOK 78 million. This is an impressive 96% increase from the same month last year and marks the best ever November month for exports. The volume of exports to Italy, the main market, totalled 442 tonnes at a price of NOK 139.81 per kg, up by NOK 33.71 from November 2009.
Strong month for frozen fish exports

Exports of frozen groundfish - both whole and fillet products - totalled NOK 347 million in November, an increase of NOK 94 million or 37% compared to November 2009. The volume of exports increased by 2,258 tonnes to a total of 17,595 tonnes. The biggest increase was in exports of frozen whole Norwegian Cod, up by 139% in value to a total of NOK 54 million. Exports of frozen Norwegian Cod fillets increased in value by NOK 20 million from November last year to a total of NOK 65 million. The biggest market for this product segment is the UK.