Norwegian salmon exports leap to new record

By Jenny Hjul - 4th November 2015

NORWEGIAN salmon exports increased by 18 per cent last month to a new record of NOK 4.7 billion, up by NOK 720 million year-on-year.
This also represents an all-time high for salmon sales in a single month. So far this year, Norwegian farmed salmon sales abroad have totalled NOK 38.3 billion. This is an increase of NOK 2.6 billion, or seven per cent, compared to the same period in 2014.
‘This export record is the result of strong growth in demand from our neighbouring markets in the EU,’ said seafood analyst Paul Aandahl.
‘In addition to Norwegian seafood exporters achieving record volume, price also increased.’
Norway exported 103,360 tonnes of salmon in October. This is the largest ever single-month volume total, and an increase of 2.7 per cent compared with October 2014.
So far this year, salmon exports have totalled 851,000 tonnes. This is an increase of 3.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The average export price for fresh whole salmon in October was NOK 41.96 per kg, an increase of 18 per cent compared to October 2014. Average salmon prices in October remained more or less unchanged from September.
Norwegian salmon exports to the EU region were worth NOK 3.5 billion in October. This represents an increase of nearly 23 per cent year-on-year.
Exports by volume were 81,000 tonnes, an increase of six per cent from October 2014. Poland and France were the biggest markets for Norwegian salmon in October.
However, salmon exports to Eastern Europe were down to a total of NOK 133 million. This marks a decrease of 1.6 per cent compared to October 2014. Exports by volume were also reduced, by almost 11 per cent, to a total of 3,900 tonnes.
Salmon exports to the Asian markets totalled NOK 674 million in October, an increase of 13 per cent compared with the same month last year. Exports by volume were 13,000 tonnes, a reduction of eight per cent compared with the same month in 2014.
Salmon exports to the United States totalled NOK 235 million in October. This represents an increase of 13 per cent compared to October 2014. October exports by volume totalled 3,400 tonnes.