Norway exported seafood with a value of NOK 11.6 billion July, representing an increase of NOK 2.1 billion, or 23 per cent, compared to July 2021.
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Year to date, Norway has exported NOK 81.7 billion by seafood value. This is an increase of NOK 18.5 billion, or 29 per cent, compared to last year.
July 2022 was the best single month ever for salmon exports. Exports were NOK 10 million higher than the previous record month, which was in June this year. The price for fresh whole salmon in July was NOK 84.87 per kg.
The UK has seen the largest volume growth for salmon this year, increasing from 5,400 tonnes to 35,500 tonnes. Growth continues in July, with an increase of 9 per cent, or 400 tonnes, to 5,100 tonnes.
5,200 tonnes of trout with a value of NOK 531 million were exported in July.
Norway exported 5,400 tonnes of clipfish with a value of NOK 358 million in July.
After volume growth in the first half of the year, the export volume for cod clipfish to our largest market Portugal fell by 19 per cent in July, to a total of 1,300 tonnes. However, higher prices contributed to exports increasing by 18 per cent to a total of NOK 142 million.
2,200 tonnes of fresh whole cod were exported with a value of NOK 92 million, representing a volume increase of 8 per cent, or 150 tonnes, and a value increase of 34 per cent, or NOK 23 million, compared to July last yearâ€, says Brækkan.
For the past two years, Norwegian fishermen have not had free access to fish North Sea herring in the UK zone. This has led to an earlier start to the fishing season with many small herring of lower quality. More than half of the North Sea herring has gone to meal and oil this year. Less North Sea herring for consumption has led to increased prices for North Sea herring fillet products, and in July the average price for skinless fillets increased by 26 per cent to NOK 20.10 per kg.
This year, 7,000 tonnes of whole cured North Sea herring were exported to the Netherlands in May - July, compared to 8,100 tonnes last year, a decrease of 14 per cent.
For live king crab, the export volume was almost halved from July last year, with only 99 tonnes exported last month. The export volume to the USA is unchanged at 25 tonnes, while the volume to both Hong Kong SAR and South Korea has more than halved, to 25 and 18 tonnes respectively.
It has been more demanding to export live king crabs to the Asian markets. Important reasons for the decline are corona restrictions, challenging logistics and transport conditions and increased competition.
For frozen king crab, only 14 tonnes were exported in July, a decrease of over 80 per cent or 65 tonnes, from July last year. ■