OSLO: Norway exported seafood worth NOK 74.5 billion in 2015. This is 8 per cent, or NOK 5.8 billion, more than the record year of 2014.
“In a year with trade restrictions in several markets and an import embargo in Russia, the result was better than expected. A weak Norwegian krone, combined with good demand for fresh products in particular, contributed to a new export record for Norwegian seafood,” says Terje E. Martinussen, Managing Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Seafood exports to the EU have reached NOK 50 billion for the first time, after a growth of 17 per cent in 2015. The EU takes in 67 per cent of total seafood exports, and it is decidedly the most important market for the Norwegian seafood industry. Another important characteristic of Norwegian seafood exports is that more than 60 per cent is fresh products and this share is increasing.
“The growth in the EU and the United States in recent years also shows the importance of government and industry working well together in order to obtain access to markets. Good trade agreements are absolutely critical in order to achieve growth in new markets in the future,” says Martinussen.
