Norwegian salmon exports in 2017 are expected to soar past figures for last year “by a comfortable margin” despite a lowering of prices seen during the year, the Norwegian Seafood Council has reported.
A re-start in exports to China after a diplomatic spat are helping the cause of Norwegian exporters who see the potential in trade with the market dragon. While Poland and France remain top markets in November, “five weeks of sustained increase in exports” to China have pushed Chinese imports of Norwegian salmon to their highest level for two years.
“Currently, Norwegian salmon goes to the main destinations Beijing and Shanghai, and importers report that import processes have become simpler,” said Sigmund Bjorgo, of the Seafood Council’s China mission. “(It’s) a significant and positive step towards the normalization of salmon exports to China.”
Increased volume and a “a relatively high price” were the prevailing conditions for Norwegian salmon exporters who helped Norway achieve 286,000 tonnes in seafood exports worth a total NOK 9 billion.
“We anticipate a weaker December month than last year, partly due to continued high salmon prices impacting consumers,” said Paul T. Aandahl, an analyst with the Seafood Council.
“This is especially true of the smoked salmon market, where important markets like Germany and France have seen demand decline compared to the previous year,” he said.
Despite the higher volumes, the value of salmon exports are down, the Council said. Norway exported 103,000 t of salmon worth NOK 5.7 billion in November, an 11-percent increase. A five percent drop in value over was felt over November last year.
So far in 2017, 909,000 t of salmon worth NOK 59 billion have been exported, a two percent increase in volume and a seven percent or NOK 4 billion increase in value over the same period last year.
The average price for whole fresh salmon in November was NOK 50.68 per kg against NOK 61.71/kg in November 2016.
