Trout exports bounce back
Norwegian trout exports doubled in February, both in terms of volume and value, with 6081 tonnes being exported for a value of NOK 288 million (£23.6m).
Meanwhile the value of Norwegian salmon exports rose by 26%, reaching NOK 4.15 billion (£340m), despite a drop of 0.7% in volume to 71,837 tonnes.
"A reduction in the supply of salmon at the beginning of the year, strong demand in our neighbouring markets and a favourable foreign currency situation are driving the price for salmon and consequently the value to new heights," says Paul T Aandahl, Analyst with the Norwegian Seafood Council.
Average export price for fresh whole salmon was NOK 55.05 per kg, and increase of 31 per cent compared with the same month last year. The price is about the same as in the preceding month.
Salmon exports to the EU were worth approximately NOK 3 billion to the EU – an increase of 32 per cent from the same month last year. The export volume to the EU, measured in product weight, was 54,351 tonnes, up 2 per cent from last year. Measured by value, France, Poland and Denmark were the largest purchasers of Norwegian salmon in February.
Exports to Eastern Europe totalled NOK 74 million, down 14 per cent from February last year, while exports to the US were worth NOK 240 million, an increase of 36 per cent.
The average price for fresh whole trout was NOK 47.24 per kg, which is 17 per cent higher than for February last year. The export share for fresh whole trout amounted to 51 per cent of total sales of trout. Poland was the largest importer of Norwegian trout, followed by Belarus and Japan.
