Growth in volume and value for Norwegian salmon exports.
Norway exported 97,463 tonnes of salmon worth NOK 9.4 billion ($940 million) in February, marking growth in both value and volume compared with the same month last year.
Export value increased by NOK 458 million ($45.8 million), or 5 percent, year-on-year, while volumes rose 10 percent, according to export data.
Poland, China and France were the largest markets for Norwegian salmon during the month.
China recorded the strongest growth in value. Exports to the country increased by NOK 570 million ($57.0 million), or 107 percent, compared with February last year.
Norway exported 11,512 tonnes of salmon to China in February, an increase of 126 percent year-on-year.
“The Chinese New Year celebrations follow the lunar calendar and this year fell in mid-February. Significant volumes of salmon were shipped to China ahead of the holiday,” said Sigmund Bjørgo, the Norwegian Seafood Council’s envoy to China.
“The distribution of salmon has improved in China over the past year, which has increased availability. Norwegian salmon can now be purchased in more stores, on social media and in neighbourhood shops and can be delivered to customers’ homes within half an hour. In addition, gift packs of salmon were a major driver of the huge growth in Chinese salmon consumption during this year’s Chinese New Year celebrations,” Bjørgo added.
Exports to the United States saw the largest decline in value. Compared with the same month last year, exports fell by NOK 339 million ($33.9 million), or 34 percent.
“Exports of fresh fillets to the USA saw the biggest decline. This must be seen in the light of customs duties, increased uncertainty about future trade conditions, increased competition from other producer nations and a weakened US dollar,” said Paul T. Aandahl, seafood analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
