RECORD EXPORTS OF NORWEGIAN SEAFOOD IN FIRST QUARTER

Seafood exports from Norway in the first quarter of 2010 were valued at NOK 12.4 billion. This is an increase of NOK 1.9 billion or 18% compared with the first quarter of 2009. In March alone, exports totalled NOK 4.7 billion. This is an increase of NOK 1 billion and sets a new March record, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to NSEC.

"As a result of continuing very strong market demand for Norwegian seafood, the growth in exports seen last year has continued into the first quarter of this year," says Egil Ove Sundheim, director of market information with the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. "We are seeing record exports of Norwegian Salmon, and at the same time sales of clipfish and salted fish are showing growth following a difficult and challenging 2009."
Norwegian Salmon price up by NOK 6

In the first quarter of 2010, Norwegian Salmon exports topped NOK 6.5 billion, up by NOK 1.7 billion or 37% compared with the first quarter of 2009. In March alone, the value of Norwegian seafood exports was NOK 2.7 billion. Compared to March last year, this represents growth of NOK 870 million or 48%. This is the strongest single month ever recorded for Norwegian Salmon exports. This growth is attributable to higher export prices coupled with increased export volume. In March, the average price for whole fresh Norwegian Salmon was NOK 36.43, compared to NOK 30.36 in March 2009. As in the previous month, France and Poland were once again the biggest importers of Norwegian Salmon.

In the first quarter of 2010, exports of Norwegian Fjord Trout fell by NOK 50 million to a total value of NOK 419 million. In March, the value of exports was NOK 161 million, a decline of NOK 21 million. The biggest importers of Norwegian Fjord Trout are Russia and China.

Growth in exports of fresh Norwegian seafood

In the first quarter of 2010, exports of fresh seafood made up over half of all Norwegian seafood exports. Strong growth in exports of fresh Norwegian Salmon was a major factor, although exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod and fresh Norwegian Cod fillets also showed healthy growth. Exports of fresh Norwegian Cod fillets set a first quarter record this year with a value of NOK 167 million, an increase of NOK 30 million or 22%.
Growth in exports of clipfish and salted fish

Exports of clipfish in the first quarter of 2010 increased by NOK 91 million to a total value of NOK 910 million. This breaks down into NOK 489 million for Norwegian Cod, NOK 333 million for Norwegian Saithe and approximately NOK 44 million divided equally between torsk and ling.
Exports of salted fish increased in value by NOK 118 million to a total of NOK 286 million. Norwegian Cod exports, valued at NOK 291 million, account for most of this.