Norwegian seafood exports grew by 21% year-on-year in July 2021, amounting to NOK 9.5 billion (€910 million), according to the latest data from the Norwegian Seafood Council.
The value of seafood exports stands at NOK 63.3 billion (€6.07 billion) in the year to date, which is 9% more than the same period last year.
Tom-Jørgen Gangsø, director of market insight and market access with the Norwegian Seafood Council, said, "Measured by value, this July is the best ever for Norwegian seafood exports. Salmon continued its growth trajectory from June, while we have also experienced a sharp increase in exports of snow crab and king crab.
"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."
Salmon
In July, Norway exported 103,100 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 6.9 billion (€660 million). This marks a 10% growth in export volume and a 24% year-on-year growth in value compared to the same period last year.
The report stated that Poland, Denmark, and France were the largest markets for Norwegian salmon in July.
Paul Aandahl, seafood analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council, said, "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."
Trout, Cod, Clip Fish
In July, Norway's trout export volume saw a 13% decline, to 6,200 tonnes, with Belarus, Ukraine, and Thailand its biggest markets.
Exports, worth NOK 381 million, represented a value increase of 11%, or NOK 36 million, compared to July 2020.
Fresh cod exports saw 26% growth in value, to 2,300 tonnes, and 10% growth in value to NOK 92 million. Denmark, Germany, and Sweden were the largest markets for fresh cod from Norway.
However, frozen cod exports saw a 14% decline in volume, to 5,000 tonnes, and a 19% decline in value to NOK 193 million.
In July, clip fish exports increased by an impressive 39% in volume to 6,300 tonnes. The export value increased by 37% to NOK 309 million, with Portugal, Brazil, and Congo-Brazzaville the biggest importers.
"Most of the exports of saithe clip fish go to Congo Brazzaville and the increase is due to a generally good demand for Norwegian clip fish and shows that the economy of the countries has improved after last year's shutdown," said Trond Kostveit, seafood envoy to Africa.
Other Fish Varieties
Norway's salted fish exports also witnessed a 27% growth in volume, to 1,100 tonnes, and a 40% increase in value to NOK 63 million.
Portugal, Italy, and Greece were the largest markets for Norwegian salt fish in July, the report noted.
The exports value of stock fish remained stable in July at NOK 36 million, while exports amounted to 246 tonnes, up 18% year-on-year.
Herring exports also remained steady, with the country exporting 11,000 tonnes (-3%) of the fish worth NOK 147 million in July.
The biggest markets for Norwegian herring in this period were Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands.
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Mackerel exports saw exponential volume growth of 54% in this period, to 11,400 tonnes. Exports amounted to NOK 173 million, up 32% year-on-year.
Jan Eirik Johnsen, head of Pelagic Species with the Norwegian Seafood Council, said, "In the last two months, there has been good coastal fishing of mackerel around Lofoten. This mackerel is sought after in markets where mackerel is smoked, which has resulted in increased exports to Egypt and Ghana, among others.
"Access to mackerel around Lofoten varies considerably from year to year. In June and July this year, a total of 12,000 tonnes of mackerel were landed, compared with 7,200 tonnes in the same period last year, an increase of 65%."
Shellfish Exports
Norway's king crab exports increased by 38% in volume to 280 tonnes, with South Korea, Hong Kong SAR, and the United States as its biggest markets.
Export value increased by NOK 55 million, or 81%, compared to July of last year.
It is the second strongest export month for king crabs ever, only beaten by July 2018, where the value of exports was NOK 132 million.
Prawn exports increased by 24% year-on-year in volume, to 703 tonnes, and 31% in value, to NOK 55 million.
Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom were the largest markets for Norwegian prawns in this period.
July was also a record month for snow crab exports, which increased by 33% in volume, amounting to 906 tonnes, and 111% in value to NOK 213 million.
The US, Denmark, and the Netherlands were the largest markets for snow crabs.
Aandahl said, "Exports of crab have increased to Europe, Asia, and North America. […] The month of July has [seen] the highest value for the shellfish category ever with values of just under NOK 406 million."
In July, Europêche called on consumers to boycott seafood products from Norway, over what it it described as 'unlawful grab' of the bloc's fish quota.
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Dayeeta Das. For more Fresh Produce news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
