According to statistics from the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), in the first quarter of 2023, Norwegian seafood exports reached NOK 41.4 billion, a substantial increase of 22% over the same period last year. Total exports reached 693,400 tons, down 8.7% year-on-year.
NSC General Manager Christian Chramer said: "Norwegian seafood exports set the best record in history. The depreciation of the Norwegian krone and the increase in prices of species such as Atlantic salmon, cod, trout and herring were the main reasons. Exports in March set a record for a single month. highest level."
In the first quarter, Norway exported 263,000 tons of Atlantic salmon, a year-on-year decrease of 6%, with an export value of NOK 28.8 billion, a year-on-year increase of 24%. Poland, the United States and France were the largest export markets. Norwegian chilled salmon set a record price of NOK 148 per kilogram in the first quarter, which is NOK 23 higher than in the second quarter of 2022. Whole chilled salmon prices hit a record high of NOK 105 per kg, NOK 7 higher than in the second quarter of 2022.
In March, the Norwegian salmon export volume was 93,700 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 4%, and the export value was NOK 11.3 billion, a sharp increase of 34% year-on-year.
In the first quarter, the export value of Norwegian seafood to the US market grew rapidly, with an increase of NOK 10 billion, an increase of 40%. Norwegian Seafood Board analyst Paul T. Aandahl said, "Reduced global salmon supply, increased demand, and a stronger dollar are why Norwegian exports to the U.S. are soaring. For household consumption, we see more processed products such as ready-to-eat products) for the market, such as Poke Bowl dishes.”
Norwegian mackerel exports in the first quarter amounted to 71,400 tonnes, a 16% increase compared to the same period last year, and a value of NOK 1.4 billion, a 21% increase compared to the same period last year. Jan Eirik Johnsen, manager of pelagic fish at the Norwegian Seafood Board, said: "In the past few years, most mackerel has been processed in China. However, Norwegian mackerel exports to China are declining this year, while exports to Japan date back to 2005. This year’s high. On the one hand, this is the decline in local catches, and on the other hand, the Japanese processing industry needs more raw materials. At the same time, China’s ports and production capacity are also facing some challenges.”