Lower prices help drive up Norwegian salmon exports

LOWER prices are thought to have helped drive a substantial increase in Norwegian salmon exports during October.

Figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council show that the volume was up by 10 per cent - or 8,500 tonnes - on October last year to a total of 98,500 tonnes.

But the value of these shipments rose by just two per cent or NOK 123 million to a total of NOK 5.7 billion in a period when prices continued to fall back.

The average price for whole fresh salmon in October was NOK 54.65 per kilo against NOK 60.12 last year.

So far this year, the country has exported 807,000 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 53.4 billion. This is a volume increase of one per cent, while the value increased by nine per cent or NOK 4.3 billion. Once again Poland and France were the largest markets.

Exports of farmed trout are continuing to decline. Exports last month totalled 4,000 tonnes worth NOK 253 million. The figure is down by 18 per cent or 866 tonnes and also down by 18 per cent or NOK 54 million. The main buyers of Norwegian trout are China and Belarus.

Norwegian seafood exports of all types last month came out at 275,000 tonnes worth NOK 9.1 billion, with volumes down by five per cent and the value three per cent - or NOK 281 million - lower.

However, there was better news on fresh cod with volumes up by 23 per cent to NOK 91 million in October.