Second best month for exports

In terms of volume 74,185 tonnes of salmon were exported in January, which is approximately the same level as January 2014, according to figures released by the Norwegian Seafood Council today.

"Our main market, the EU, is increasingly choosing Norwegian salmon, and it is the development of distribution and innovation in the fresh fish category as a whole which is helping drive consumption," said Paul T Aandahl, Branch Manager for salmon and trout at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Growth in EU markets

Norway exported salmon to the EU worth NOK 2.6 billion in January, an increase of 8 per cent year-on-year. Measured by product weight, EU exports grew by 15 per cent or 57,000 tonnes compared to January 2014. By volume, France, Poland and Denmark were the biggest markets for Norwegian salmon in January. Each of these markets increased their purchase of Norwegian salmon year-on-year.

Salmon prices lower but remaining firm

The price for fresh whole salmon in January was NOK 44.87 per kg – 8 per cent lower than in January 2014. The January 2015 price was 1 per cent lower than the average price in December 2014.

Exports to Eastern Europe affected by import ban

Norwegian salmon exports to Eastern Europe fell by 80 per cent, to NOK 98 million, in January. By volume, 2,500 tonnes of salmon were exported to Eastern Europe - a decrease of 76 per cent compared with January 2014. The main reasons for the reduction are the continuing Russian import ban combined with a marked decline in sales to Ukraine.

Asia stable, US exports increasing strongly

Salmon exports to Asia were worth NOK 573 million in January, more or less the same as a year earlier. Exports by volume were also consistent with the year before. Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea are the key Asian buyers of Norwegian salmon. Sales declined in the Vietnamese market.

Salmon exports to the US increased by 34 per cent, to NOK 172 million. In January 2,700 tonnes were exported to the US market – an increase of 670 tonnes, or 33 per cent, compared to January 2014.

Slowdown for trout

The value of trout exports fell by 38 per cent in January, to a total of NOK 78 million, compared to NOK 126 million a year earlier. Sales by volume were down by 36 per cent, totalling 2,600 tonnes. The price achieved for fresh whole trout in January was NOK 46.24 per kg, 8 per cent lower year-on-year.