Record high Norwegian seafood exports in 2021
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Norway exported 3.1 million tonnes of seafood worth NOK 120.8 billion in 2021.
Despite a challenging year, the seafood industry has delivered fantastic results
"2021 was another exciting export year for Norwegian seafood. We are in the very favourable position of having products in high demand the world over - even in times of crisis. This has resulted in a growth in demand, record export volumes and a total export value that Norway has never experienced before. This is impressive and shows that Norwegian seafood is one of Norway's key industries for the future”, says Renate Larsen, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
For the first time, the total export volume exceeded 3 million tonnes.
The increase in value was as much as NOK 15.1 billion, or 14.3 per cent, compared with 2020.
The previous record in export value from 2019 of NOK 107.2 billion was broken by NOK 13.6 billion, or 12.7 per cent.
In December, seafood worth NOK 12 billion was exported. This is a new record for this month.
Solid export records were also set for, amongst others, salmon, king crab, snow crab and mackerel.
”Despite a challenging year, the seafood industry has delivered fantastic results. The government has very high ambitions for the seafood industry. Together with all the skilled professionals in the seafood industry, we will continue to work for further growth in the export of climate-friendly food, more activity along the coast and the setting of further impressive new records”, says Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs Bjørnar Skjæran.
Despite the fact that 2021 was undeniably a record year on many fronts, the Norwegian Seafood Council's CEO Renate Larsen emphasizes that the entire value chain has, to varying degrees, been able to take part in this remarkable Norwegian export success story.
“We must be careful when interpreting "export growth" as "increased profitability" for everyone. Challenges with market access and increased costs related to operations, purchasing and distribution led to lower margins in parts of the industry last year. To be able to develop, invest and continue to be a leading seafood nation, the industry needs stable operating frameworks and good market access”, says Renate Larsen. ■