One has to go all the way back to January to find higher price levels than today’s. Large salmon is in strong demand.
“There is a bit of fighting about the fish. It’s up in the [NOK] 70’s now. 73, 74, 75 kroner (EUR 6.9, 7.0, 7.1) for three to six kilograms. And even higher for big salmon,” said a trader to iLaks.
“Some of the majors lack fish,” he pointed out. “And then you see that prices in Chile are diving. It is soon the same price for frozen fillets in Chile as for fresh whole salmon in Norway. For the Chileans, Brazil and the United States are out. The domestic markets are very tough,” he said, adding that he has so far not taken advantage of the offers to buy frozen salmon fillets from Chile.
Others see even higher prices.
“73, 75, 77 kroner (EUR 6.9, 7.1, 7.3) for 3-6 (kilograms),” a fish farmer wrote in a text message to SalmonBusiness.
“74, 75, 76 kroner (EUR 7.0, 7.1, 7.2) (for three to six kilograms) and 80 plus (EUR 7.6) for the heavy fish, I hear,” said one trader. “But I do not buy at these prices. Artificial level and correction will come soon, I would think,” he added.
Many of the industry sources are concerned about the high price premium on Norwegian salmon at the moment – and assume it is temporary.
“I hear 70 plus (FOB fish farmer Norway – ed. note) and 80 plus for big salmon – and then I hear USD 3.25 per pound from Chile to the United States. Then I hear that Scotland is lower in price to Europe than Norway. It’s just nonsense – a joke,” said an international major importer.
“Brazil has disappeared again. They are out of the fresh fish market. China is not at this price level. So the question is where does the fish go? It is said that it is only on contracts. Exporters must buy fish to cover contracts,” he explained.
