The value of exports of pelagic fish in January totalled NOK 1 billion, marking strong growth of NOK 344 million or 50% compared to January last year. Exports of herring were up in value by 43% to NOK 629 million, while mackerel exports increased in value by 48% to NOK 351 million. The value of exports of both herring and mackerel has never been higher for the month of January.
”Good catches and record prices for both herring and mackerel have ensured a January month of record exports,” says senior analyst Kristin Lien from the Norwegian Seafood Council. ”Our major markets – Germany, Russia and Poland – all increased the value of their imports of pelagic fish in January this year.”
Frozen whole herring exports go mainly to Russia and Ukraine
In January, the volume of exports of frozen whole herring totalled 34,000 tonnes, down 3,000 tonnes from January last year. More than half of these exports were accounted for by Russia (11,000 tonnes) and Ukraine (7,000 tonnes), although sizeable volumes of herring exports also went to Lithuania (5,000 tonnes) and the UK (4,000 tonnes). These figures reveal a downturn in exports to Russia on a par with the downturn seen in Lithuania last year, and a proportionally bigger share going to the other two markets. Prices for herring have been moving upwards during 2011 and the autumn saw one record price after another being set. In January the price of frozen whole herring was NOK 8.06, an increase of NOK 2.57 or 47% from January 2011.
Germany and Russia biggest markets for herring fillets
In January, the volume of exports of frozen herring fillet products totalled 18,000 tonnes, roughly the same as in January last year. Herring fillet exports went primarily to the markets in Germany (6,000 tonnes), Russia (5,000 tonnes) and Poland (2,000 tonnes). These figures mark an increase in exports to Russia, while the other two markets remain at more or less the same level as last year. The average price in January was NOK 15.76 per kg, which is 66% up on January last year.
Copious quantities of mackerel to China
In January the volume of exports of frozen whole mackerel totalled 26,000 tonnes, up by 5,000 tonnes from January last year. China was the biggest importer with 7,000 tonnes, followed by the Netherlands with 5,000 tonnes and Japan, Turkey and Russia with 3,000 tonnes each. The volume of exports to China is largely re-exported to Japan for consumption. In January, the average export price of frozen whole mackerel was NOK 13.51, which is NOK 2.18 higher than in January 2011.
