Norwegian salmon prices in late Christmas lift

Fresh salmon prices in Norway have surged to their highest level for almost six months, in the run up to Christmas.

Figures from Statistics Norway, which monitors prices on a weekly basis, show they reached NOK 87.82 per kilo (£6.73), in week 50, a peak not seen since July.

They had been hovering around the NOK 86-87 mark for the past three weeks, on the back of traditional festive demand.

But fresh salmon prices are still generally lower than a year ago – and certainly an average of NOK 20 lower than around Easter when they hit NOK 120 per kilo (£9.20).

As expected, there was also a late rise in the export figure which, thanks to seasonal demand, rose by over 2,000 tons in week 49 to 24,551 tonnes in week 50.

However, reports from Norway suggest that Europeans, with an eye on household food budgets are buying less salmon this year.

In fact the market for fresh salmon is, by and large, stronger now than at any time this year. Around the Easter and Mayday holiday period , when demand is also traditionally high, exports were averaging around 15,000 to 17,000 tonnes.

Christmas salmon sales in the UK appear to be holding up well with food stores reporting fairly brisk trade for salmon and other seafood. Prices usually dip after Christmas before starting up again in the approach to Easter which is early next year.

Frozen salmon prices in Norway were also higher last week at NOK 95.73 per kilo (£7.34).