STRONG GROWTH IN NORWEGIAN SALMON EXPORTS

Strong growth in Norwegian salmon exports – Norwegian seafood exports amounted to NOK 8.8 billion in April. This is an increase of NOK 892 million or 11 per cent compared with April last year. Year to date, seafood exports total NOK 34.5 billion. This is an increase of NOK 2.8 billion or 9 per cent compared with the same period last year.

“We are seeing strong growth in global demand for Norwegian salmon. This is especially true for the EU, Asia and the United States. In addition, this year’s skrei season has now ended, and high demand is driving high volumes and high prices. We have also been helped by the currency situation in April, where Norwegian kroner have been weak, especially against the dollar. Overall, this has been a fantastic month for Norwegian seafood exports”, says seafood analyst Ingrid K. Pettersen with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

In April, 86,000 tonnes of salmon were exported with a value of NOK 6.2 billion. This was an increase in volume of 17 per cent while the export value increased by NOK 995 million or 19 per cent compared with April last year. So far this year, 333,000 tonnes of salmon have been exported with a value of NOK 22.9 billion. This is an increase in volume of 5 per cent while the value has increased by NOK 2 billion or 10 per cent. The average price for fresh whole salmon in April was NOK 68.46 per kg, compared with NOK 68.45 per kg in April last year. Poland, Denmark and France were the largest export markets for salmon from Norway in April.

“Poland was the most important export market for Norwegian salmon in April. This was also the market with the largest growth. Increased domestic consumption as well as increased processing of Norwegian salmon, especially for frozen fillets and smoked salmon marked for export, is the reason for the strong increase in Poland. Germany is the most important market for processed products from Poland”, says seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl with the Norwegian Seafood Council.