(SeafoodSource) Seafood exports from Norway remain stable despite the EU’s economic woes, report officials at the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).
The value of Norwegian seafood exports in July totaled NOK 3.5 billion, which is unchanged from July 2011. The country’s year to date seafood exports total NOK 28.3 billion, down 4.3 percent compared to the same period last year.
“Despite the economic uncertainty in the markets, demand for Norwegian seafood products remains good, even incountries that have been hit hard by the crisis,” said Egil Ove Sundheim, the NSC’s director of market information. “In the first half-year of 2012, exports were characterized by much lower prices for Norwegian salmon than in the previous year. However, in July price differences were less pronounced and export volumes were up, which has resulted in growth in the value of Norwegian salmon exports.”
Salmon exports totaled NOK 2.3 billion, up by NOK 58 million or 2.6 percent from July 2011. The value of Norwegian salmon exports totals NOK 16.3 billion year to date, down 5 percent compared to the same period last year. This decline is attributed to lower export prices: The average price for fresh whole salmon in July was NOK 27.05, compared to NOK 31.14 in July 2011. France and Russia were the biggest Norwegian salmon importers.
The value of exports of Norwegian Fjord trout in July totaled NOK 118 million, unchanged from July last year. The value of Fjord trout exports totals NOK 917 million, an increase of NOK 183 million compared to the sameperiod in 2011.
Both herring and mackerel exports are growing: Herring export value increased in July by NOK 92 million, or 73 percent, to a total of NOK 219 million. Exports of mackerel grew in value in July by NOK 16 million to a total of NOK 68 million.
Clipfish exports fell in value in July by NOK 12 million to a total of NOK 228 million. A breakdown of this figure shows that Norwegian clipfish of cod accounted for NOK 118 million and saithe NOK 92 million, with the remainder accounted for by ling, torsk and other groundfish.
Exports of salted fish including fillets increased in value in July by NOK 14 million to a total of NOK 39 million, of which cod accounted for NOK 32 million.
In July, exports of fresh cod fell in value by NOK 23 million to a value of NOK 34 million. The value of exports of frozen cod including fillets was also down, falling in value by NOK 26 million to a total of NOK 89 million.