Norwegian seafood exports reached NOK 3.3 billion (USD 541.4 million, EUR 379.8 million) last month, up 28 percent from July 2008. That's the fourth consecutive month that the value of Norwegian seafood exports has amounted to 3.3 billion, the Norwegian Seafood Export Council reported on Thursday.
Through the first seven months of 2009, Norwegian seafood exports totaled a record NOK 23.8 billion, up 18 percent from the same period last year. July's total of 3.3 billion is also a record.
Leading the charge are farmed salmon and trout. In July, salmon exports reached 55,000 metric tons worth NOK 2.1 billion (USD 163.8 million, EUR 115.1 million), up 50 percent from July 2008; France, Poland and Russia were the leading importers of Norwegian salmon. Trout exports totaled NOK 182 million in July, up 28 percent from July 2008.
"The main reason for this positive trend is the strong demand for Norwegian salmon in a number of markets," said Egil Ove Sundheim, the council's director of market information. "This is attributable to customers in key markets continuing to consume salmon despite the adverse economic climate, as well as to less competition from other salmon producers. The July figures were also influenced by the relative weakness of the Norwegian krone compared to July 2008."
Norwegian herring exports reached NOK 110 million (USD 18 million, EUR 12.7 million) in July, up slightly from July 2008, and through the first seven months of this year totaled NOK 2.2 billion (USD 360.3 million, EUR 253.2 million), up 27 percent from 2008.
Exports of salted cod (both whole and fillets) came to NOK 43 million, double July 2008's total. However, through July salted cod exports are down 60 percent from last year.
August 9, 2009
