Norway continues to strengthen its position as a leading seafood supplier with increased export value of both salmon and trout.
In 2012, salmon and trout grew USD 108 million, representing a total of USD 5.7 billion in sales for Norway. Salmon accounted for USD 5.3 million while trout contributed USD 305 million.
The U.S. spent USD 152 million in salmon exports and also contributed to other popular Norwegian exports such as cod, haddock and mackerel totaling its export value to USD 222 million in 2012. According to figures presented by the Norwegian Seafood Council, Norway exported 2.36 million tons of seafood worldwide in 2012 coming to a total of USD 9.3 billion.
Europe made up 57 percent of Norway’s total sales totaling USD 5.3 billion despite a USD 234 million reduction due to lower prices on Norwegian cod and salmon. Russia — Norway’s largest market — showed the largest growth this year with a total of USD 1 billion followed by France showing the second largest market growth with an export value of USD 881 million.
However, 2012 saw a decrease in wild seafood exports. The export value of Norwegian fisheries was reduced USD 432 million ending at USD 3.6 billion. Contributing to this number were falling mackerel prices and reduced export values of cod, saithe and herring.
