Exports of groundfish including clipfish, salted fish and stockfish in July totalled NOK 787 million in value. This is an increase of NOK 56.7 million or 7% compared to July last year, according to the latest figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. Never before has the value of exports of groundfish been so high, either for a July month or for the January-July period. This year to date, the value of exports totals NOK 6.4 billion.
”There has been great demand for Norwegian Saithe clipfish from the Dominican Republic and Angola, which combined with strong growth in exports of frozen Norwegian Cod, Norwegian Saithe and haddock has resulted in the best July month ever for groundfish exports. In addition, stocks are reportedly low in Italy, which has resulted in good prices in the first sales month of the year for stockfish,” says analyst Kjell-Åge Rognli from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.
Record clipfish exports
The value of clipfish exports in July totalled NOK 233 million. This is an increase of 10% or NOK 20.7 million compared to July 2010 and marks a new export record for clipfish. A total of 6,518 tonnes of clipfish was exported in July, up by 184 tonnes from the same month last year.
Much of this increase is attributable to exports of Norwegian Saithe clipfish, the value of which was up by NOK 13.9 million or 14% to a total of NOK 112.9 million. The volume of exports increased by 383 tonnes or 10%, while prices were up by 3% – all of which contributed to making this the best July ever for exports of Norwegian Saithe clipfish. The Dominican Republic, the third biggest Norwegian Saithe clipfish market after Brazil and Congo, is the market showing the biggest growth, up by 72% or NOK 22.5 million.
Exports of Norwegian Cod clipfish increased in value by 11% or NOK 10.7 million. The volume of exports totalled 2,171 tonnes, a decline of 111 tonnes or 5% compared to July last year.
Portugal was the biggest market for Norwegian Cod clipfish in July with imports totalling NOK 72 million, an increase of over 10% compared to July last year. The volume of exports totalled 1,485 tonnes, down by 7% from July 2010.
Good start to stockfish season
The first sales month of the year for stockfish saw exports totalling NOK 34 million, up by 47% compared to July last year. The average price was up by 46% to NOK 84.41 per kg, while the volume of exports remained consistent with levels in July 2010. Most of the increase is due to growth in exports to Italy of NOK 11.2 million. The price for exports of Norwegian Cod stockfish from Lofoten to Italy in July was NOK 138.29 per kg, up by NOK 22.26 from July last year.
Frozen whole products enjoy best month ever
The value of exports of frozen whole groundfish caught in the wild in July totalled NOK 258 million, an increase of over 29% or NOK 59.4 million compared to July 2010. Never before has the value of exports of frozen whole products in a July month been this high. Exports of frozen whole haddock showed the biggest growth in value to total NOK 68.4 million in July, an impressive increase of 128% or NOK 38.5 million from the same month last year. Exports of frozen whole Norwegian Cod, Greenland halibut and Norwegian Saithe are also trending upwards, with growth in export value of 13%, 12% and 25% respectively. China was the biggest growth market in July, with the value of exports increasing from NOK 84.6 million to NOK 148 million.
The value of exports of whole fresh fish caught in the wild in July increased by 25% compared to the same month last year to total NOK 88.5 million. The biggest increase was in exports of fresh whole haddock, which were up in value in July by over 66% or NOK 11.2 million to a total of NOK 88.5 million compared to July 2010. The value of exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod also showed healthy growth, up by 42% or NOK 7.3 million.
Growth in exports from aquaculture
Farmed fish exports in July totalled NOK 25.8 million, an increase of 2% compared to the same month last year. Exports of fresh Norwegian Cod fillets increased in value from NOK 2.7 million to NOK 3.7 million, while exports of fresh whole Norwegian Cod were marginally down in value by 0.2% from the same month last year. The biggest market for whole fish was Spain, and for fillets Denmark.
