Norway half year exports at record high

NORWEGIAN seafood exports during the first half of 2018 have hit an all-time record, driven by salmon and a surge in demand from EU countries, including the UK.
The country sold 1.4 million tonnes of seafood to a value of NOK 48.1 billion over the six-month period from January to June, an increase of 10 per cent in volume and a value increase of NOK 1.8 billion, or four per cent, compared to the first half of the year in 2017.
Paul Aandahl, analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council, said: ‘Although the values are largely driven by salmon, we have also seen the best half-year period for cod, saithe and haddock.
‘The main increase in salmon demand has come from the EU. We have also seen a clear increase in the consumption of fresh salmon in markets such as France, the UK and Italy.’
Norway exported 485,000 tonnes of salmon with a value of NOK 32.6 billion during the period. The volume grew by eight per cent in the first half, while values were up by four per cent or NOK 1.1 billion.
The largest markets for Norwegian salmon in the first half again included Poland, France and Denmark. June salmon exports totalled 86,000 tonnes and the value was up six per cent to NOK 5.6 billion.
‘Strong volume growth over the last few months is the biggest contribution to the extra value,’ Aandahl added.
Farmed trout exports in the first half totalled 20,000 tonnes worth NOK 1.4 billion, a value rise of seven per cent.