Norwegian seafood exports set yet another record in February, reaching NOK 4.2 billion (USD 708 million, EUR 522 million), up 18 percent from February 2009, the Norwegian Seafood Export Council reported on Friday.
“The growth in Norwegian seafood exports is attributable primarily to growth in salmon exports,” said Egil Ove Sundheim, the council’s director of market information. “As a result of strong market demand, we are exporting greater volumes of Norwegian salmon and at higher prices, which has resulted in growth in exports of NOK 892 million compared with the first two months of last year.”
Norwegian salmon exports also set a record last month, topping NOK 2 billion (USD 337 million, EUR 249 million), up an impressive 46 percent from February 2009, while the price of fresh whole salmon jumped 19 percent to NOK 33.67 per kilogram from January to February. In terms of volume, salmon exports totaled 4.2 metric tons in February, up 25 percent from February 2009.
“The strength of Norwegian salmon exports is due to a combination of increased demand and reduced competition in the world market for salmon,” said Paul Aandahlm, the council’s market analyst.
Norwegian salmon exports to the European Union reached NOK 1.3 billion in February, up 27 percent from February 2009, with France leading the way at NOK 273 million, followed by Poland at NOK 240 million (much of the salmon exported to Poland is processed and re-exported to other EU countries).
Salmon exports to Russia increased 118 percent to NOK 181 million, while salmon exports to the United States ballooned 238 percent to NOK 124 million; the United States was Norway’s fourth biggest salmon export market in February.
While Norwegian salmon exports grew, herring and mackerel exports dropped NOK 113 million to NOK 1 billion in the first two months of 2010, due primarily to lower prices in key export markets such as Russia and the Ukraine, reported the council.
However, fresh Norwegian cod exports jumped 31 percent to NOK 232 million in January and February thanks to growth in Sweden and Denmark, while clipfish exports increased NOK 29 million to NOK 676 million due primarily to growth in Brazil.
