OSLO: Norway exported seafood worth NOK 5.4 billion ($72 million) in January, a decrease of NOK 457m, or 8% compared to January 2014.
In spite of the decrease, the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC) defined Norwegian export levels in January as “well above normal for this month”.
This month’s decline is linked to the comparison with record figures at the start of 2014, partly driven by the early start of the skrei season, NSC said.
Specialist foods such as bacalhau, however, performed “very well in January and have broken records.”
Exports of clipfish increased by NOK 145m or 49% in January to a total of NOK 444m, with Brazil as the biggest market (NOK 291m).
We see that the Brazilians are gearing up for the Easter celebrations, traditionally based on Norwegian clipfish”, said Geir Bakkevoll, NSC’s communications director.
Exports of salted fish increased in January by NOK 7m to reach a total of NOK 39m and Greece was the biggest market for this speciality, importing NOK 14m.
Due to the later start of skrei season, exports of fresh cod, including fillets, fell by NOK 33m or 14% year-on-year, totaling NOK 200m.
Skrei exports in January were approximately NOK 17m by value, and 425 metric tons.
For frozen cod, exports halved to an export value of NOK 143m. The EU is the biggest importer of frozen cod, accounting for NOK 102m.
Salmon exports in January were worth NOK 3.5bn. This represents small decrease of NOK 143m, or 4%, compared to January 2014.
The price for fresh whole salmon dropped from NOK 48.87 per kg to NOK 44.87 per kg. Overall volume remains at the same levels as last year, totaling 74,000t.
