Strong Groundfish Exports in April

In April, exports of groundfish including clipfish, salted fish and stockfish totalled NOK 893 million. This is an increase of 10% or NOK 81.4 million compared to April 2010, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. This is attributable to strong growth in exports of cod to Portugal. This year to date, Portugal has imported cod products to the value of NOK 852 million. This is NOK 261 million or 44% up on the first tertial of last year, reports www.megafishnet.com with reference to NSEC.

"Exports of Norwegian Cod to Portugal have really taken off," says market analyst Ove Johansen from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. "Portugal has always been a good export market for clipfish and salted fish, but now we are also exporting a substantial volume of fresh Norwegian Cod to the bacalao country. 35% of the total export value of Norwegian Cod is accounted for by Portugal."

In April, the value of clipfish exports totalled NOK 222.6 million, up by 26% or NOK 46 million from the same month last year. The volume of exports of clipfish in April totalled 5,721 tonnes, which is 627 tonnes more than in April 2010. Exports of Norwegian Cod clipfish were up by NOK 58.9 million to a total of NOK 154.5 million, while exports of Norwegian Saithe clipfish were down by NOK 10.2 million to a total of NOK 58.3 million.
Exports of salted fish increase in value

The value of exports of all salted fish products in April totalled NOK 143 million, an increase of 14% or NOK 17.4 million compared to the same month last year. However, the volume of exports showed a decline, down by 125 tonnes or 3% to a total of 4,075 tonnes compared to April last year.
Good month for exports of fresh fish

In April, exports of fresh groundfish products from fishing increased by 11% to a total value of NOK 200 million compared to April last year. The biggest increase was seen in exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod, which in April this year were up in value by 39% or NOK 28.5 million to a total of NOK 102.3 million.
Growth in farmed Norwegian Cod exports to Spain

The value of exports of farmed groundfish products in April increased by an impressive 69% or NOK 12.1 million to a total of NOK 29.7 million. Much of this increase is attributable to exports of whole fresh Norwegian Cod, up from NOK 12.2 million in April 2010 to NOK 23.1 million in April this year. Spain is the biggest market for farmed Norwegian Cod, having imported over 1,000 tonnes this year to date, a growth rate of no less than 75% compared to the same month last year.