The value of Norwegian seafood exports in the first quarter of 2013 totaled NOK 13.4 billion. This is at the same level as in the fisrt quarter of 2012. In March, the value of seafood exports totalled NOK 4.6 billion. This is a decrease of four per cent or NOK 190 million compared to the same month last year.
“The value of Norwegian Salmon exports has increased due to steep price increases, but at the same time the wild fishing industry has noted a fall in the value of exports in the first quarter of the year,” says Egil Ove Sundheim, director of market information with the Norwegian Seafood Council.
“The large volumes of Norwegian Cod that have been landed during the winter have largely all found their way to market, but at reduced prices. In the current market situation it is particularly important that there is strong growth in the quantity of exports of fresh Norwegian Cod to the EU.”
The value of exports of Norwegian Fjord Trout in the first quarter of 2013 increased by 20 per cent or NOK 79 million to a total of NOK 482 million. The value of exports of Norwegian Fjord Trout in March totalled NOK 144 million, down by nine per cent or NOK 15 million compared to the same month last year. The biggest markets for Norwegian Fjord Trout are Russia and Japan.
Exports of herring and mackerel down
The value of exports of Norwegian Herring in the first quarter of 2013 totalled NOK 812 million. This is a drop of 48 per cent or NOK 741 million compared to the first quarter of 2012. In March, the value of Norwegian Herring exports totalled NOK 186 million, a decline of 46 per cent or NOK 156 million from March last year. Russia and Ukraine are the biggest markets for Norwegian Herring.
Mackerel exports in the first quarter of 2013 were valued at NOK 478 million, down by 39 per cent or NOK 302 million from the first quarter last year. In March, the value of Norwegian Herring exports from Norway totalled NOK 106 million, down by 25 per cent or NOK 36 million compared to the same month last year. China and Russia are the most important mackerel markets.
Exports of clipfish and salted fish also down
Exports of clipfish in the first quarter of 2013 totalled NOK 745 million, a decline of 16 per cent or NOK 137 million compared to the first quarter of 2012. The volume of exports was the same as last year. In March, the value of clipfish exports totalled NOK 173 million, down by 20 per cent or NOK 44 million from March last year.
Exports of salted fish in the first quarter totalled NOK 282 million. Compared to the first quarter of 2012, this is a reduction of 13 per cent or NOK 44 million. The volume of exports increased by 10 per cent or 1,000 tonnes to a total of 11,216 tonnes. The value of exports of salted fish in March totalled NOK 136 million, down by 18 per cent or NOK 29 million from March last year.
Exports of fresh Norwegian Cod up, frozen Norwegian Cod down
In the first quarter of 2013, exports of fresh Norwegian Cod including fillets were valued at NOK 490 million. This is an increase of 21 per cent or NOK 85 million compared to the same quarter last year. The volume of exports in the same period increased by no less than 63 per cent or 9,000 tonnes to a total of 23,000 tonnes.
In March, the value of exports of fresh Norwegian Cod including fillets totalled NOK 209 million. This is an increase of 31 per cent or NOK 49 million compared to March 2012.
The value of exports of frozen Norwegian Cod including fillets in the first quarter of 2013 totalled NOK 419 million. This is a downturn of 11 per cent or NOK 54 million compared to the first quarter of 2012. Export volume in the same period showed growth of 17 per cent or 3,144 tonnes to a total of 22,000 tonnes. In March, the value of exports of frozen Norwegian Cod including fillets totalled NOK 123 million, a drop of 15 per cent or NOK 21 million from March last year.
