Weak Norwegian kroner leads to best ever first half year for seafood exports
Topics: NORWEGIAN SEAFOOD
In the first six months of this year, Norway exported seafood with a value of NOK 52.9 billion. This is an increase in value of 3.5 per cent, or NOK 1.8 billion, measured against the first half of 2019.
As in the six-month figures, seafood exports in June have also shown a growth in value:
- Seafood was exported for NOK 8.4 billion.
- There is an increase in value of 5 per cent, or NOK 400 million, compared with June last year.
Growth in EU salmon exports
- Norway exported 501,000 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 35 billion in the first half of 2020.
- Export volume remains at the same level as last year.
- Export value increased by NOK 598 million, or 2 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
- The average price for fresh whole salmon increased from NOK 63.71 to NOK 64.62 per kilo.
- Poland, France and Denmark were the largest recipients of salmon from Norway in the first half of the year.
The EU has overall increased its value share of total exports from 70 to 71 per cent in the first half, while exports of Norwegian salmon to Asia during the same period saw a slight reduction in value.
South Korea has been the most stable market in Asia with growth throughout the first half of the year. In total, value growth has been 11 per cent, taking total exports to NOK 1.1 billion.
Weaker price trend for trout
- Norway exported 31,600 tonnes of trout for NOK 1.8 billion in the first half of the year.
- Export volume increased by 29 per cent.
- The value increased by NOK 168 million, or 10 per cent, compared with the first half of last year.
- The average price for fresh whole trout was NOK 54.37. This is 16 per cent lower than the average price for fresh whole salmon.
- The US, Ukraine and Japan were the largest markets for Norwegian trout in the first half of the year.
Clipfish exports hit hard by the Corona crisis
- Norway exported 38,700 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 2 billion in the first half of the year.
- There was a 7 per cent reduction in export volume.
- Export value increased by NOK 59 million, or 3 per cent.
- Portugal, Brazil and the Dominican Republic were the most important markets for Norwegian clipfish during the first half of the year.
The reason for the growth in value in the first half of the year is that the period before the corona crisis was characterized by both increased prices and volumes, especially for codfish, but since April exports have fallen.
After a somewhat sluggish start to the year, the export of clipfish of saithe has had a somewhat more positive development during the corona period, with price and volume growth compared to last year.
Japan is one of the drivers for the strong development of mackerel exports, and in this market the first part of 2020 has been characterized by very strong growth. ■