Farmed trout prices start to revive

Figures from the Norwegian Seafood Council have shown that last month, the average export price for fresh whole trout was 14% higher than during the same month last year, ending at NOK 89.39 per kilogram.

The country’s trout sector exported 5,863 tons worth NOK 551 million (£44m) last month. The value was slightly down on April last year, but that was due to a 7% drop in volumes.

Poland, through its large seafood processing sector, had the largest value growth in April, with an increase in export value of NOK 27 million (£2.1m) or 57%, compared to the same month last year.

Export volume to Poland ended at 898 tonnes, which is 53% higher than the same month last year.

Ukraine, another major processing country, was still one of the top export destinations, but the United States, despite tariffs, was the largest consumer market.

Meanwhile, farmed cod exports dropped last month, but this is only thought to be a temporary fall.

The export volume fell by 22% to 1,080 tons while the value was down by 7% to NOK 85 million (£6.8m).

Seafood Council analyst Hestvik Brækkan said that although the export volume of farmed cod had fallen for three months in a row, figures from the Directorate of Fisheries show that the sector’s biomass had increased significantly.

The Council expects the export volume will gradually increase throughout the rest of the year.

Farmed cod accounted for 28% of the export value of fresh cod last month.