Strong start for Norwegian exports

NORWAY’S seafood sector has got off to a sound start in 2018 with January export figures up in both volume and value.

Sales last month totalled 198,000 tonnes, an increase of 23,000 tonnes or 13 per cent, while the overall value rose by two per cent or 143 million kroners to NOK 7.7 billion.

The farmed salmon market remains stable, with exports at 85,400 tonnes, worth NOK 5.1 billion. The volume rose by 23 per cent or 16,000 tonnes but the sharp fall in prices over the past 12 months means the value remains the same as January 2017.

The average price today is NOK 57.10 per kilo compared with NOK 72.02 per kilo 12 months ago. Once again, Poland, France and Denmark were the largest buyers of Norwegian salmon.

Paul T. Aandahl, analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council, said: ‘The EU market has taken a larger part of the fish (salmon) this year compared with a year ago. It shows that the market has largely recovered from last year’s price shock… the market in France in particular is very positive.’

Aandahl said China continued to be the main driver in Asia, buying record volumes last month. The council expects sales to China to become even stronger as the year progresses.

The demand for farmed trout showed signs of a revival in January. Exports rose by 28 per cent by volume to 3,200 tonnes and by NOK 207 million.