The Norwegian seafood industry exported salmon to a value of 1.9 billion kroner in April according to figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. This is 559 billion NOK higher than in the month last year.
– The strong growth is the result of increased demand for salmon at the same time as the competition from other supplying nations has been reduced, says market analyst Paul Aandahl in the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.
Compared to the same month last year the export volume in April went up 16% to almost 56,000 tons. The average export price for fresh whole salmon in April was 32.05 kroner, which is the highest average price since August 2006.
USA is pulling up the export of fillets significantly
A weakening supply of fresh salmon fillets from Chile to the USA has provided export possibilities for Norwegian actors. The export growth of fresh fillets from Norway to USA in April is a staggering 856% to 1720 tons. Norway since 1991 had a punitive toll on fresh whole salmon of 26%, which in reality has excluded Norwegian salmon exporters from this market. For fresh fillets on the other hand there are no trade restrictions.
In addition, the demand for salmon fillets is increasing strongly in other markets such as France and Sweden. In terms of value, the export of fresh fillets accounted for 17% of the total export of salmon. Never before have salmon fillets accounted for so large a portion of the total salmon export on a monthly basis.
Increased salmon export to Eastern Europe
In spite of an economic downturn the export of salmon to Eastern Europe is increasing. Exports to Russia account for 82% of exports to the region, and it is in this market that the growth is occurring. In volume the increase in April was 19% to 5475 tons. The next largest market in Eastern Europe is Ukraine. Here the financial crisis has caused a reduction in exports and in April the fall in volume for salmon exports was 39%.
Export growth to Asia
Exports to the most important Asian markets show growth for April. Exports to Japan, which is the most important market in the region, increased by 16% in volume to 2126 tons. To China and Hong Kong exports increased 36% and 29% respectively.
Growth in value of Norwegian fjord trout exports
In April NOK 269 million kroner worth of Norwegian fjord trout was exported. This is 16% higher than in the same month last year. In the same way as for salmon, the price for trout has also increased. The price for fresh trout in April was 29.74 kroner per kilo. This is 1.01 kroner higher than in the previous month and 5.67 kroner above the level for April last year. Measured in volume, exports of trout declined by 18% to 5425 tons. All of 51% of trout exports go to the Russian market. For this market the growth in volume was 4% in April compared with the same month last year.
