Norwegian salmon exports break another record

Despite a fall in prices, August saw another record set for Norwegian salmon exports.

The country’s salmon farmers sold 127,000 tonnes of the pink fish worth NOK 9.2 billion (£800m) Volumes were 7% higher, and the value increased by 34% or NOK 2.3 bn  (£200m) compared to August last year. The total was a record high for the month of August

Seafood Council analyst Paul T. Aandahl said: “Demand for Norwegian salmon continues to increase. Although prices have fallen compared to earlier this year (April and May), salmon prices are at a record high for the month of August.

Once again Poland, with its large salmon processing sector, remained the largest market at NOK 366m (£31m ), followed by Denmark and the United States. There was also good growth in demand from the Netherlands and Lithuania, he added.

Farmed trout volumes suffered a volume decline last month, down by 16% to 5,400 tonnes. However, the value was up increasing by 23% or NOK 91m (almost £8m) top NOK 492m (almost £43m).

Aandahl said last month was the strongest August so far for trout exports in value terms with the US, Thailand and Armenia the top  markets.

Overall seafood exports last month totalled NOK 12.5bn (almost £1.1bn), setting a new August record.

Seafood Council acting CEO Børge Grønbech with high salmon prices continuing to be the main driver behind the surge in values.

August was a particularly strong month for frozen cod with the UK, China and Poland among the principal markets. The volume rose by 67% to 5,800 tonnes while the value rose by an incredible 120% to NOK 314m (£26m).