NORWEGIAN HERRING EXPORTS SOAR

Norwegian herring exports soar. Norway exported 38,800 tonnes of herring to a value of NOK 357 million in October. This is a volume increase of 116 per cent and a value increase of 91 per cent or NOK 170 million compared with October last year.

So far this year, Norway has exported 216,000 tonnes of herring for NOK 1.9 billion. This is a 10 per cent increase in volume, and a 5 per cent decline in value, or NOK 93 million from the same period last year. Nigeria and Egypt were the largest herring markets in October.

“The increase in export volumes is a consequence of doubling the volume of catches, measured against October last year. The increase in exports is mainly for frozen whole herring, and the price has fallen compared with October last year. Price-sensitive markets in Africa, including Nigeria and Egypt, have increased the supply of frozen whole herring”, says Ingrid K. Pettersen, Seafood Analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Meanwhile, Norway exported 66,000 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 1.3 billion in October. This is a volume decline of 14 per cent but a 2 per cent, or NOK 29 million growth in value compared to October 2018. Mackerel has seen a solid price increase this year, also partly driven by a weaker Norwegian kroner.

So far this year, Norway has exported 173,000 tonnes of mackerel for NOK 3.1 billion. This is a 2 per cent increase in volume, but a significant value increase of 26 per cent, or NOK 634 million, measured against the same period last year. In October, Japan was the largest market for mackerel.

“This is the most important time of year for Norwegian mackerel exports. Here in Japan, we have worked hard for a long time to communicate the strengths of Norwegian mackerel. Norwegian mackerel remains popular with Japanese consumers, who see Norwegian mackerel as a premium product”, says Gunvar L. Wie, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s Fisheries Envoy to Japan and South Korea.