Norway exported seafood worth NOK 12 billion in November, according to a press release from the Norwegian Seafood Council. This is an increase of NOK 2.6 billion, or 28 per cent, compared with November last year. So far this year, seafood has been exported for NOK 108.8 billion.

The annual record from 2019 of NOK 107.2 billion was sent a week ago.

Increase for fresh cod

Norway exported 2,600 tonnes of fresh cod, including fillets, worth NOK 125 million in November. The volume increased by 34 percent and earned by 35 percent compared to November last year.

Denmark, Sweden and Germany were the largest markets for fresh cod from Norway in November. The growth in exports of fresh fillets to Sweden continues, with a volume growth of 72 percent last month and a growth so far this year of 60 percent, according to the report.

Frozen cod in growth

Norway exported 8,100 tonnes of frozen cod worth NOK 351 million in November. There is an increase in volume of 16 percent. The value increased by NOK 67 million, or 24 per cent, compared with November last year.

The United Kingdom, Poland and China were the largest markets for frozen cod from Norway in November.

For frozen whole cod, the shift towards more exports to Europe, and less to China, continues. As much as 77 per cent of the exports of frozen whole cod in November went to the European market.

Strong demand for herring

Norway exported 52,700 tonnes worth NOK 640 million in November. The volume fell by 2 percent, compared with November last year.

The value increased by NOK 50 million, or 8 per cent, compared with the same period last year. Egypt, Poland and Lithuania were the largest markets for Norwegian herring in November.

The strong demand for Norwegian herring in the markets continues. This is reflected in solid prices at high volumes, writes the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Only once before has the average price for herring been higher in November than this year. That was in 2016, but then the quota was only 40 percent of what it is today. The average price of whole frozen herring was NOK 8.14 in November against NOK 7.28 in the same period last year.

– This is an increase of 23 percent, which the quota this year increased by 24 percent compared to last year, says responsible for pelagic species in the Norwegian Seafood Council, Jan Eirik Johnsen, in the report.

Decline in mackerel exports

Norway exported 43,100 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 764 million in November. This is a decrease in volume of 25 per cent compared with November last year.

The value fell by NOK 165 million, or 18 per cent, compared with November last year.

South Korea, Japan and China were the largest markets for Norwegian mackerel in November.

With a record-breaking start to the season and high export volumes in August, September and October, exports were expected to calm down somewhat in November.