Norway’s January salmon exports worth 23% less
The value of Norwegian salmon exports fell by NOK 1.5 billion (£27.8 million), or 23 per cent, last month compared with January last year, when prices averaged NOK 75.53 per kilo. In contrast, the average price for fresh whole salmon last month was NOK 48.79 per kg.
Norway exported 95,600 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 5.2bn in January, 11% more than in the same month last year. Poland, France and the United States were the largest recipients of salmon from Norway in January.
The EU increased its share of salmon exports from 64% last year to 67% this year.
Stable since August
“Despite a significant decline in value compared with January last year, salmon prices have remained relatively stable since August,” said Norwegian Seafood Council analyst Paul Aandahl. “At that time, the average price per kilo was NOK 50.70. Compared with December, the price increased in January by NOK 1.04 per kilo, or 2%.
“Increased export volume and reduced sales in the restaurant market are the reason for the relatively low price.”
Sweden was the largest growth market for salmon in January, measured in value.
Strong in Sweden
“After a weak December, where the market was saturated, it seems as if Swedish consumers have emptied freezers and refrigerators for salmon during Christmas,” said Sigmund Bjørgo, the Norwegian Seafood Council's seafood envoy to Sweden.
“January was a very strong month, with both high demand from consumers combined with attractive campaigns in stores.”
Fewer trout exported
Norway exported 3,800 tonnes of trout worth NOK 218m last month. That is a 32% drop in volume and 38% (NOK 134m) fall in value compared with January last year.
Ukraine, USA, Poland and Belarus were Norway’s largest trout markets in January.
“Compared with fresh salmon, fresh trout has had a positive price development in recent months, and in January the price was 8% higher for fresh whole trout. This is related to reduced volume compared to last year,” said Aandahl.
Meanwhile, the spot price of Norwegian salmon fell by NOK 1.89 per kg to NOK 43.98 per kg last week (week 4), according to figures from salmon data producer Akvafakta. This is as much as NOK 32.87 lower than during the same week in 2020.
