Norwegian salmon sales march on - but not in Europe

THE impressive rise in Norwegian salmon exports last year have continued to march on into 2017. The latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council show that sales in January were 1.1 billion kroners (just over £100 million), higher than the same month in 2016.

But there is a cautionary note with news that sales in many European countries were down as consumers reacted to higher in-store prices by looking for cheaper seafood.

Geir Håvard Hanssen, communications director with the Norwegian Seafood Council, said: ‘The start of the 2017 seafood year has been marked by a reduced supply of salmon from Norway and continuing high prices.

‘It helps that less salmon has been sold in Europe, while more salmon is en route to the US and Asian markets.’

Norway exported 70,100 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 5.3 billion in January. Export volumes to the EU were reduced by 5,400 tonnes, while the total decline in volume across all markets was 2,700 tonnes. The value of salmon exports increased by NOK 1.1 billion, or 25 per cent, compared with January last year.

In January 2016, the average price for fresh whole salmon was NOK 55.56 per kg. In January this year the price rose to NOK 72.37 per kg.

Poland, France and Denmark were the biggest importers of Norwegian salmon. The council said the reduced availability and high prices have impacted the supply of salmon in key European export markets. In Spain salmon has been displaced at the counter by other species of fish.

The council’s salmon analyst, Paul Aandal, said: ‘Salmon exports to Europe are in retreat, but there is still strong demand for salmon in the global market. Exports to the US increased by 1,045 tonnes last month.’