August exports 13pc higher

Seafood exports in August were up in value by NOK 461 million (EUR 62.6 million) compared to the same month last year. This year to date the value of seafood exports from Norway has totalled NOK 32.2 billion (EUR 4.4 billion), down by NOK 831 million (EUR 112.8 million) or 2.5 per cent from the same period last year, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC).

The value of salmon exports in August totalled NOK 2.6 billion (EUR 353.1 million), an increase of NOK 496 million or 24 per cent compared to August last year. For the year to date, the value of salmon exports stands at NOK 18.8 billion (EUR 2.6 billion), down by NOK 463 million (EUR 62.9 million) or 2.4 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The average price for fresh whole salmon in August was NOK 28.35 (EUR 3.85) per kg, compared to NOK 28.37 (EUR 3.85) per kg in August 2011. As in the previous month, France and Russia were the biggest importers of salmon.

The value of exports of trout increased in August by NOK 41 million (EUR 5.6 million) or 37 per cent to a total of NOK 154 million (EUR 20.9 million). This year to date, exports of trout have totalled NOK 1.1 billion (EUR 14.9 million), an increase in value of NOK 223 million (EUR 30.3 million) compared to the same period of 2011. The biggest importers of Trout are Russia and Japan.

Exports of herring increased in value by NOK 122 million (EUR 16.6 million) or 207 per cent in August to a total value of NOK 181 million (EUR 24.6 million). This year to date, the value of exports of herring has totalled NOK 2.6 billion (EUR 353.1 million), up by NOK 122 million (EUR 16.6 million) or 5 per cent from the same period last year. Russia and Germany are the biggest markets for herring.

Exports of mackerel from Norway fell in value in August by NOK 14.4 million (EUR 1.96 million) to a total of NOK 64.4 million (EUR 8.7 million). However, for the year to date exports of mackerel have been up in value by NOK 341 million (EUR 46.3 million) to a total of NOK 1.2 billion (EUR 162.95 million). Russia and China are the biggest markets for mackerel from Norway.

Exports of clipfish fell in value in August by NOK 7 million (EUR 950,565) to a total value of NOK 289 million (EUR 39.2 million). A breakdown of this figure shows that cod clipfish accounted for NOK 163 million (EUR 22 million) and saithe NOK 91 million (EUR 12.4 million), with the remainder accounted for by ling, torsk and other groundfish. The biggest market for cod clipfish is Portugal, while Brazil is the biggest market for saithe clipfish.

Exports of salted fish including fillets increased in value in August by NOK 10 million (EUR 1.4 million) to a total of NOK 42 million (EUR 5.7 million). Of this, cod accounted for NOK 21 million and ling accounted for NOK 12.4 million (EUR 1.7 million), an impressive increase in value of 601 per cent compared to the same month last year. The biggest market for salted fish is Portugal.

In August, exports of fresh cod including fillets from fishery fell in value by NOK 1.4 million (EUR 190,113) to a total of NOK 122 million (EUR 16.6 million). The value of exports of frozen cod including fillets was also down, falling in value by NOK 57 million (EUR 7.7 million) to a total of NOK 79 million (EUR 10.7 million).