Fresh farmed cod outstrips trawler catch in Norway exports

For the first time, more than half the fresh cod exported from Norway last month was farmed, the latest statistics show.

Two months ago the ratio was a third, which demonstrates the impressive growth in this still relatively young branch of aquaculture.

The total September fresh cod export figure was 1,500 tonnes and worth NOK 94 million (£6.3m). While volumes were slightly down, the value rose by 8% with 52% of that total coming from Norway’s cod farms.

Seafood Council analyst Thomas Jakobsen said this is the first time that cod farm production has overtaken the trawler catch in the fresh category.

The figures for the third quarter (July to September ) are even more impressive, with farmed cod exports rising by 119% to 2,457 tonnes at a value of NOK 152 million (£16m).

In contrast, for fresh wild cod the export volume fell by 35% to 3,699 tonnes, while its value was down by 26%, to NOK 222 million (£16m).

A year ago Spain seemed to be the one of the most eager farmed cod markets, but in recent months the emphasis has switched to the Netherlands which had the greatest growth in value, recording a 163% increase compared with Q3 last year.

There has also been an increased in exports of farmed cod to the transit markets of Poland and Denmark, said Thomas Jakobsen.

With new quota cuts expected in the Barents Sea and elsewhere, farmed cod is certain to be in demand.

Frozen cod exports were worth NOK 149m (around £10.7m) with almost all of that from catch fishing.