The export of salmon greatly increased in first quarter

14 April 2009

The export of salmon in the first quarter of 2009 was at a record level of 4.8 billion kroner. This is an increase of 18.7% compared to last year, according to figures from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.

The growth in salmon exports is first and foremost due to an average price increase from Norwegian salmon of 3.60 NOK per kilo compared to the first quarter last year. When in addition to this increase in price we experience growth in the export volume of 10,000 tons it shows that the demand for Norwegian salmon is strong, says Egil Ove Sundheim , director for market information with the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.

  The export value to the EU is increasing
72% of Norwegian salmon exports go to the EU. So far this year the export value to this market has increased by 540 million kroner. The greatest growth has been to France and Poland. France continues to be our largest single market, while Poland to an increasingly greater degree has taken on the role of processor of Norwegian salmon for the EU.

Powerful growth in exports to the USA
The problems in the salmon industry in Chile have meant an enormous increase in exports for salmon to the USA. In March exports increased from 684 tons to 3363 tons.  So far this year the value of exports to the USA is 206 million kroner. This is an increase of 168%. Fresh fillets are major product for the USA.

Russia increasing
In spite of the economic crisis exports to Russia increased by 42 million kroner to 365 million in the first quarter. Russia is thereby our third largest export market, and clearly the largest outside the EU. Fresh salmon is becoming steadily more important for export to Russia and it is also this product which is increasing most in export value in 2009.

Strengthened export of Norwegian fjord trout
In the first quarter exports of Norwegian fjord trout increased by 117 million to 480 million kroner, primarily as a result of a strong increase in price. The price for fresh trout increased by 5.40 kroner to 28.31 kroner per kilo on average during the first quarter.

The largest markets are Russia and Japan.

Contact person: Director Egil Ove Sundheim, tel.: +47 90577293