The export value of Norwegian seafood has never been higher in the first half of the year than in 2022.
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In the first six months of the year, Norway exported seafood worth NOK 70.1 billion. This is a value growth of 31 per cent, or NOK 16.4 billion, compared with the first half of last year.
At the same time, June was the strongest June ever, with an export value of NOK 12.3 billion. This is an increase of 35 per cent, or NOK 3.2 billion, compared with the same month last year.
Salmon still accounts for the largest share of export value, but also species such as trout, cod, saithe and haddock have contributed to a record-breaking six months.
The first half of the year has seen major and drastic changes in the world community, with both war in Ukraine and reopening after the corona pandemic.
Norway exported 534,500 tonnes of salmon exported to a value of NOK 48.4 billion in the first half of the year.
The export volume fell by 5 per cent compared with the first half of last year.
The export value increased by NOK 13.2 billion, or 37 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
The average price for fresh whole salmon increased from NOK 58.29 per kg to NOK 87.37 per kg.
Poland, France and the USA were the largest recipients of salmon from Norway in the first half of the year.
At the same time as the supply volume is decreasing, demand is increasing. This is partly due to increased sales to the hotel and restaurant sector.
The price increase has also led to a distortion in the flow of goods from countries where salmon largely go for smoking before further export. The export volume to Poland, for example, has fallen by 18 per cent, the marine analyst emphasizes.
Norway exported 23,800 tonnes of trout for NOK 2.1 billion in the first half of the year.
The export volume fell by 5 per cent.
Export value increased by NOK 562 million, or 35 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
The USA, Thailand and Japan were the largest markets for Norwegian trout in the first half of the year.
Norway exported 41,700 tonnes of fresh cod worth NOK 2 billion in the first half of the year.
There is a decrease in volume of 14 per cent.
The value increased by NOK 240 million, or 14 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland were the largest recipients of fresh cod from Norway in the first half of the year.
Norway exported 50,600 tonnes of frozen cod worth NOK 2.5 billion in the first half of the year.
There is an increase in export volume of 14 percent.
Export value increased by NOK 733 million, or 43 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
China, the United Kingdom and the United States were the largest recipients of frozen cod in the first half of the year.
The export value of frozen cod increased by NOK 169 million, or 82 per cent, compared with June last year.
The United States' own cod quotas have been declining for a number of years. The country has also imposed a total ban on imports of seafood from Russia.
Norway exported 40,300 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 2.3 billion in the first half of the year.
There is a decrease in volume of 2 per cent.
The value increased by NOK 570 million, or 32 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
Portugal, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic were the most important markets for Norwegian clipfish in the first half of the year.
In our largest clipfish market Portugal, consumption in the grocery trade is lower than last year, but this is as expected since more people are eating their clipfish in restaurants this year.
Norway exported 21,200 tonnes of salted fish worth NOK 1.4 billion in the first half of the year.
This is an increase in the volume of 35 per cent.
Export value increased by NOK 682 million, or 95 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
Portugal, Greece and Spain were the most important markets for Norwegian salted fish in the first half of the year.
Measured in value, as much as 30 per cent of all Norwegian cod exports went to Portugal in the first half of the year, and we must go back to 2015 to find a higher Portuguese share of total exports. ■
A series of atmospheric rivers are forecast to produce heavy rainfall in the Pacific Northwest into the upcoming week while heavy snow continues in the Northern Rockies through Sunday.