(TheFishSite) Norway exported seafood worth NOK 24.8 billion the first half of 2012. There is a decline of 1.2 billion or 4.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2011.
In June there was an increase of 256 million or seven per cent compared to June last year. "Overall, developments in seafood exports in the first half were weaker than at the same time last year. At the same time we experienced in June a good general demand for seafood with growth in exports of salmon, pelagic fish and dried fish," says Egil Ove Sundheim, director of market information at the Norwegian sjømatråd.
The export of salmon was 14 billion in the first half, which is a decrease of 967 million kroner, or 6.5 per cent compared to the same period last year. Looking at the month of June however, there is an increase of 178 million, or seven per cent to a total export value of 2.6 billion.
Lower export prices are the cause of the decline in salmon exports. The average price for whole fresh Norwegian salmon in June is 26.80 million against 32.77 million in June 2011. As for the previous month, France and Russia are the biggest buyers of salmon from Norway.
Trout exports increased by 188 million, 31 per cent, in the first half. In June, the export increase by 29 million or 29 per cent to a total of 129 million. The largest buyers of trout were from Norway, Russia and Japan.
Exports of herring fell by 90 million or four per cent in the first half for a total value of 2,2 billion. In June, the export value of herring on the 288 million grain have been a slight decrease compared to June last year. Russia and Germany are the largest markets for herring.
Exports of mackerel increased by 338 million or 45 per cent first half of the total 1.1 billion. In June, the increase was 49 million or 103 per cent to a total of 98 million. For mackerel, China and Russia are the main recipients.
Clip fish exports fell by 40 million or three per cent in the first half of the total 1.5 billion. In June, exports increased by 27 million or 13 per cent compared to a total export value of 228 million. In the first half of the export benefits with 877 million of cod, 535 million on say, 54 million on the tusk, 40 million in long and 28 million other white fish.
Exports of salted fish, including fillets, fell by 177 million the first half or 22 per cent to a total export value of NOK 627 million. 572 million of this is cod.
Exports of fresh cod from the fishery, including breast, fell by 26 million or four per cent to a total export value of 620 million in the first half. For frozen cod fillets including there was an increase of 80 million, or 11 per cent to a total export value of 776 million kroner.