Norway exported seafood worth NOK 10.9 billion (EUR 1.4 billion) in the period January- April. This is the highest amount ever registered during this time of year, up 10 percent compared to 2005, according to the Norwegian Seafood Export Council (NSEC).
09/05/2006 :: The strong growth in seafood is primarily due to increased volumes and prices of clip fish, salted fish and salmon. In April alone, exports worth approximately NOK 2.46 billion (EUR 316 million) crossed the Norwegian borders, which is the highest export value ever recorded for this month.
The European Union
Exports to the EU was estimated at around NOK 7 billion (EUR 900 million), and the EU's share of Norway's total seafood exports has increased from 60 percent in 2005 to 64 percent today. Exports to the UK, France, Poland and Spain are the fastest growing among the EU-member states.
France is still the largest recipient of Norwegian seafood, having imported products worth NOK 1.1 billion (EUR 141 million) so far in 2006. The 24 percent increase is largely due to increased import of fresh salmon and fresh cod filets. Elsewhere in Europe, the numbers rose as well, and fresh salmon tops the import lists. Salmon comprises close to fifty percent of total Norwegian exports, however frozen herring fillets and frozen herring flaps are also popular export products for Norway.
The Americas
The U.S. imported 46 percent more Norwegian seafood products during the year's first four months in 2006 than in 2005. Salmon was a central factor here as it was in the EU, as well as frozen haddock fillets.
Clip fish continue to be a strong staple in Brazil and the Dominican Republic's imports, and both saithe (coalfish) and cod are showing increasing popularity.
Norwegian Seafood Export Council/ Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs