NORWEGIAN salmon exports during the first six months of this year hit a record 31.5 billion kroners (NOK), figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council show. In value terms this is 13 per cent higher on the same period in 2016. Norway Seafood Council analyst Paul Aandahl said: ‘The first half was characterised by record high prices for salmon. ‘A continuing increase in demand combined
with reduced supply of salmon globally is the cause of this inflation.’
Last month the average price for whole fresh Norwegian salmon was NOK 68.80 per kilogram, while in June last year it was NOK 65.36 million. In volume terms the country exported 451,000 tonnes, roughly the same amount during the first half of last year. While sales to some countries such as the UK are on the rise, farmed trout remains a problem. Exports fell sharply by 56 per cent to 16,600 tonnes in the first half, and the value has dropped by 31 per cent. Currently, the largest trout customers are Japan, the US and Belarus. King crab exports during the same period were also down - by 27 per cent to 706 tonnes. The value fell by 14 per cent while exports of shrimp (prawns) fell by 14 per cent to 4,000 tons, and the value fell by 19 per cent. Exports of all Norwegian fish and seafood, including cod and haddock, was also at a record during the first six month, totalling 1.3 million tonnes and worth NOK 46.3 billion.