Seafood exports grow by NOK 3.6 billion

Exports of Norwegian seafood in the first half-year of 2010 totalled NOK 24 billion, marking the highest export value ever recorded for a first half-year period, reports http://www.megafishnet.com/ with reference to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.

"A strong increase in exports of Norwegian Salmon, Norwegian Fjord Trout and haddock has contributed to Norwegian seafood exports achieving the highest growth ever recorded. This positions the seafood industry among the fastest growing sectors in Norway," comments Terje E. Martinussen, managing director of the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.

For the month of June alone, exports totalled NOK 4.3 billion. This is an increase of NOK 913 million or 27% compared to the same month last year.
Norwegian Salmon sets new export record

In the first half-year of 2010, the value of Norwegian Salmon exports totalled NOK 13.9 billion, up by NOK 3.2 billion or 31% compared to the same period last year. In June alone, the value of exports of Norwegian Salmon increased by NOK 792 million or 39%.
In the first half-year of 2010, the average price for whole fresh Norwegian Salmon was NOK 36.15, up from NOK 31.70 in the same period last year. In June, the average price stood at NOK 38.52. Exports of Norwegian Salmon products in the first half-year period totalled 279,000 tonnes, compared to 255,000 tonnes in the same period last year. The biggest importers of Norwegian Salmon are France and Poland.

"Farming of Norwegian Salmon and measures to combat salmon lice have received much media attention in Norway in 2010," comments Christian Chramer, director of information with the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. "In the international media, with the exception of a French TV documentary, these issues have attracted very little attention outside Norway. We take the criticisms that have been made extremely seriously, but to date there has been no negative impact on buying patterns or preference for Norwegian Salmon."
In the same period, the value of exports of Norwegian Fjord Trout showed a decline of NOK 214 million to a total of NOK 736 million. The volume of exports was down from 31,000 tonnes to 19,000 tonnes. The biggest importers of Norwegian Fjord Trout were Russia and China.
Growth in exports of salted fish

In the first half-year of 2010, the value of exports of salted Norwegian Cod increased by NOK 236 million to a total of NOK 568 million. This is an increase of no less than 71%.
Exports of clipfish up

Exports of clipfish increased in value by NOK 194 million or 15% to a total value of NOK 1.5 billion. Much of this growth is attributable to exports of Atlantic cod clipfish, whereas exports of Pacific cod clipfish have shown a decline.
Upturn in exports of fresh Norwegian Cod products

This year to date, exports of fresh Norwegian Cod products totalled NOK 685 million. This is an increase in value of 25%. The largest growth was seen in exports to Denmark, which together with France is the biggest importer of fresh Norwegian Cod.

Fall in exports of herring and mackerel

In the first six months of 2010, exports of herring were down by NOK 170 million to a total of NOK 1.9 billion, a reduction of 8%. Russia is the biggest importer of herring from Norway, with the market there valued at NOK 546 million. Exports of mackerel were down by NOK 161 million or 25% to NOK 491 million. In the first half-year, the biggest markets for exports of mackerel were Russia and Turkey. The decline in the value of exports of both herring and mackerel is attributable to falling prices.