Further rise in salmon prices
Norwegian salmon prices have continued on the road to recovery following a prolonged slump during the summer.
According to Statistics Norway, fresh salmon increased by 4.5% in week 42 to NOK 76.02 per kilo, the highest figure for more than two months.
The figure for the corresponding week a year ago was NOK 85.69 per kilo. And last week’s total is still someway behind what they were during the early part of the year when they touched NOK 123 per kilo.
With the festive season now just two months away, the demand remains firm with the total volume sold up slightly to 25,561 tonnes.
Frozen salmon prices also rose last week – by just over eight krone to NOK 81.90 per kilo. The volume rose slightly to 793 tonnes.
As usual, the Statistics Norway figures include salmon of all weight classes, with and without heads and fish sold under contract.
The supply situation has been somewhat erratic over the past few weeks due to outside factors.
Storms just over a month ago had an impact and a series of infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) outbreaks led to early slaughtering at a number of farms. Both helped to drag prices down.
The situation is likely to remain uncertain as farms attempt to tackle an explosive increase in lice. The general feeling, however, is that further increases can be expected as Christmas approaches.
If lower wholesale prices are reflected in the shops – and it is a big “if” – festive demand should be high.
