Norwegian seafood exports fall in value in May
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Topics: NORWEGIAN SEAFOOD
This represents a reduction of NOK 764 million, or 9 per cent, compared with May last year.
Although there was a fall in value in April and May, seafood exports in January, February and March contributed to an overall growth in export value in 2020. So far this year, seafood exports have been worth NOK 44.6 billion. This is an increase in value of NOK 1.5 billion, or 3 per cent, compared to the same period last year.
Broadly speaking, herring and mackerel account for 2/3 of the value increase so far this year, while salmon and trout account for 1/3 of the value increase.
In May, 85,000 tonnes of salmon were exported to a value of NOK 5.7 billion. This is a 5 per cent reduction in volume, while export value fell by NOK 312 million, or 5 per cent, compared to May last year. The average price for fresh whole salmon in May was NOK 60.65 per kg, compared to NOK 62.13 per kg in May last year. Poland, France and Denmark were the largest markets for Norwegian salmon in May.
So far this year, 419,000 tonnes of salmon have been exported, worth NOK 29.3 billion. The volume is at the same level as last year, while export value has increased by NOK 476 million, or 2 per cent.
In March and April, exports of Norwegian salmon to France declined by 11 and 12 per cent respectively. In May, this negative trend turned, and export volume increased by 4 per cent, to 8,976 tonnes.
In May, 5,400 tonnes of trout were exported with a value of NOK 295 million. Volume increased by 20 per cent, while export value fell by NOK 8 million, or 3 per cent, compared with May last year.
So far this year, 25,200 tonnes of trout have been exported with a value of NOK 1.5 billion. This is an increase in volume of 31 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 156 million, or 12 per cent. Ukraine, the United States and Japan were our largest markets for trout exports in May.
4,400 tonnes of fresh cod were exported with a value of NOK 171 million. This represents an increase in volume of 10 per cent, while export value has increased by NOK 3 million, or 2 per cent, compared to May last year.
So far this year, 34,600 tonnes of fresh cod have been exported, worth NOK 1.6 billion. Export volume has declined by 8 per cent, while value fell by NOK 29 million, or 2 per cent. Denmark, Poland and Sweden were the largest markets for Norwegian fresh cod in May.
In May, 5,400 tonnes of frozen cod were exported to a value of NOK 259 million. There is an increase in volume of 4 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 35 million, or 16 per cent.
So far this year, 34,000 tonnes of frozen cod have been exported to a value of NOK 1.6 billion. There is a 6 per cent reduction in volume, while the value increased by NOK 85 million, or 6 per cent. China, the United Kingdom and France were the largest recipients of frozen cod in May.
In May, France was one of the largest markets for frozen cod. In the period from week 9 to 16, home consumption of prepared cod products increased by 15 per cent in France, compared with the corresponding period in 2019.
4,500 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 204 million were exported in May. Export volume fell by 30 per cent, while value fell by NOK 163 million, or 44 per cent, compared to May last year.
So far this year, 32,500 tonnes of clipfish have been exported with a value of NOK 1.7 billion. This represents a 10 per cent reduction in volume, while export value remains at the same level as last year. Portugal, the Dominican Republic and Congo-Brazzaville were our most important markets in May.
Brazil is a very important clipfish market for Norway. In May, Norway exported saithe clipfish worth NOK 1.7 million. In comparison, in May 2019, clipfish exports to Brazil amounted to NOK 26 million.
In May, 2,700 tonnes of salt fish were exported with a value of NOK 158 million. Export volume fell by 25 per cent, while export value fell by NOK 53 million, or 25 per cent, compared to May last year.
So far this year, 14,400 tonnes of salted fish have been exported to the value of NOK 905 million. There is an increase in volume of 3 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 107 million, or 13 per cent. Portugal, Spain and Canada were our most important export markets in May.
10,800 tonnes of herring were exported with a value of NOK 151 million in May. There is a 6 per cent reduction in volume, while the value increased by NOK 25 million, or 20 per cent.
So far this year, 134,000 tonnes of herring have been exported with a value of NOK 1.5 billion. There has been an increase in volume of 5 per cent, while export value has increased by NOK 436 million, or 40 per cent. Poland, Belarus and Egypt were the main markets for herring exports in May. In May, 12,800 tonnes of mackerel were exported, worth NOK 239 million. Volume increased by 23 per cent, while value increased by NOK 57 million, or 31 per cent.
So far this year, 108,000 tonnes of mackerel have been exported with a value of NOK 1.9 billion. This is an increase in volume of 50 per cent, while the value increased by NOK 634 million, or 52 per cent. South Korea, Japan and China were the largest export destinations for mackerel in May.
May is traditionally low season for the export of herring and mackerel. Exports of herring normally increase somewhat in June, but the largest spikes in demand come in the fall.
745 tonnes of prawn were exported with a value of NOK 62 million in May. This is a 30 per cent reduction in volume, while export value fell by NOK 28 million, or 31 per cent, from May last year.
So far this year, 4,500 tonnes of prawn have been exported to a value of NOK 368 million. This is a 28 per cent reduction in volume, while the value fell by NOK 83 million, or 18 per cent. Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland were the largest export markets in May.
In a demanding export market for Norwegian seafood, there is one country that stands out positively. The export value of shrimp to China in May is the largest ever measured. There has been a notable increase in frozen and peeled shrimp in particular.
This spring, together with the industry, the Norwegian Seafood Council has launched an investment program to support exporters to the Chinese market for Norwegian shellfish and shrimp.
46 tonnes of king crab were exported to a value of NOK 16 million. This is a 60 per cent reduction in volume, while the value fell by NOK 23 million, or 59 per cent, from May last year.
So far this year, 503 tonnes of king crab have been exported with a value of NOK 171 million. This is a 30 per cent reduction in volume, while export value fell by NOK 52 million, or 23 per cent. South Korea, Hong Kong and Vietnam were the largest markets for Norwegian king crab in May. ■