The Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) is reporting that Norway saw a massive jump in seafood exports in July, buoyed by the strongest July for salmon exports on record.
Norway posted seafood exports amounting to NOK 9.5 billion (USD 1 billion, EUR 909 million) in July, an increase of NOK 1.6 billion (USD 181 million, EUR 153 million), or 21 percent, compared to July of last year.
"Measured by value, this July is the best ever for Norwegian seafood exports. Salmon continues its growth trajectory from June, while we have also experienced a sharp increase in exports of snow crab and king crab," NSC Director of Market Insight and Market Access Tom-Jørgen Gangsø said in a release.
This year, Norwegian seafood exports have reached NOK 63.3 billion (USD 7.1 billion, EUR 6 billion), an increase of 9 percent over 2020. Gangsø credits lifting pandemic restrictions for the significant year-over-year increase.
"There are fewer restrictions related to the pandemic in a number of markets this summer when compared to last year. This has a positive effect on the demand for healthy, sustainable, and tasty seafood from Norway,” he said.
Salmon exports were the star of Norway’s seafood exports in July, with increase in both volume and value. Norway exported 103,100 metric tons (MT) of salmon worth NOK 6.9 billion (USD 783 million, EUR 660 million) in July, increases of 10 percent and 24 percent, respectively. The largest markets for the products were Poland, Denmark, and France.
"We have never seen a stronger July month for salmon exports, either in volume or value. Increased tourism and a gradual reopening of the restaurant sector have increased demand for salmon compared to July last year," NSC Seafood Analyst Paul Aandahl said. "China has been the most significant growth market for salmon in July, but this must be compared to a relatively weak July month last year.”
Another standout from exports was Norway’s exports of snow crab, which saw a record month. The country exported 906 MT of snow crab worth NOK 213 million (USD 24 million, EUR 20 million), increases of 33 percent and 111 percent respectively. That makes July the strongest export month for the species ever.
“Snow crab is a hit in grocery stores in the United States. Americans have learned to cook shellfish at home, and this is clearly helping the market to grow. In addition, we can point to good fishing, increased quotas on snow crabs, and increased demand for Norwegian shellfish as an explanation for the strong growth," Aandahl said.
Fresh cod also saw increases in both volume and value. Norway exported 2,300 MT of fresh cod, worth NOK 92 million (USD 10.4 million, EUR 8.8 million), increases of 26 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
Clipfish, as well, saw increases in volume and value. Norway exported 6,300 MT of clipfish worth NOK 309 million (USD 35.1 million, EUR 29.5 million) in July, increases of 39 percent and 37 percent, respectively.
Trout exports also grew in value despite a drop in volume. The country shipped 6,200 MT of trout worth NOK 381 million (USD 43.2 million, EUR 36.4 million), a drop in volume of 13 percent but an increase in value of 11 percent, or NOK 36 million (USD 4 million, EUR 3.4 million).
Only frozen cod saw drops in both volume and value: The country exported 5,000 tons of frozen cod worth NOK 193 million (USD 21.9 million, EUR 18.4 million), reductions of 14 percent and 19 percent, respectively.
Photo courtesy of the Norwegian Seafood Council
