Fewer harvest days bring welcome price boost for Easter salmon.
Salmon traders are getting a much-needed lift heading into a quieter week.
It’s been a tough winter with falling prices. Most exporters could count their good trading days on one hand. This week appears to be adding a few more to the tally.
“It looks like we’ve settled at a new level. There’s been a massive increase over the course of the week. These might be the five best sales days we’ve had all year,” said one exporter.
After prices hovered between NOK 70 and 73 ($6.58–$6.84 / €5.81–€6.06) last week, this week brought a sharp jump.
“We’ve gone from NOK 70–73 ($6.58–$6.84 / €5.81–€6.06) last Friday to NOK 90 ($8.46 / €7.47) for 3–6 kg fish and NOK 88 ($8.27 / €7.30) for 6+ kg today,” he said enthusiastically.
Plenty of large fish
Now, he’s ready for the holidays.
“After a rough winter with very few good sales days, we’re bloody sick of salmon and taking time off for Easter. We are not sitting on unsold fish over Easter. We’ve been doing that all year, for f***’s sake.”
The price trend is confirmed by another buyer, who points to a lack of 3–4 kg and 4–5 kg fish as a key factor in the surge.
“Prices are rising quite a bit next week. The uncertainty is with 6+ kg, because there’s a lot of big fish. That’s sitting at NOK 80 ($7.52 / €6.64). But for 3–6 kg, there’s not that much available next week, so the farmer price is around NOK 87 ($8.18 / €7.22). I’ve heard between NOK 85 and 88 ($7.99–$8.27 / €7.06–€7.30) to the farmer,” he said.
Short-lived Easter surge?
Still, the buyer fears the price spike may be short-lived.
“They’re planning now because of the Easter break. Normally, they don’t plan like this. If it weren’t for Easter, I don’t think prices would have risen this much.”
There’s a noticeable change in market dynamics this week compared to earlier in the year. Many are looking to secure product early.
“There’s a big gap between what the customers are saying and what the farmers are saying. We’re in the NOK 88–90 ($8.27–$8.46 / €7.30–€7.47) range per kilo. There’s a slightly different energy heading into Easter than usual,” said a salmon trader who has yet to lock in prices.
Cognac and cigars
An exporter from the Bodø area is having a very good day. Bodø Glimt beat Lazio 2–0 at Aspmyra Stadium, and salmon prices have surged.
“It’s the first week of 2025 where exporters light a cigar and pour the good cognac. Prices have climbed all week and we’re left with around NOK 4 ($0.38 / €0.33) per kilo. Next week is a short one, and there’s a lot of optimism. Prices are up about NOK 15 ($1.41 / €1.25), giving us NOK 80 ($7.52 / €6.64) for 2–3 kg fish and NOK 90 ($8.46 / €7.47) for 3+,” he wrote excitedly in a text message.