Photo: Stockfile

Increased export volume and value for fresh cod during May

NORWAY
Friday, June 11, 2021, 15:00 (GMT + 9)

During the Covid crisis, more people have eaten seafood at home. As the restaurants in essential markets such as France, Italy, Great Britain and Portugal are reopening

•     Norway exported 4,900 tonnes of fresh cod worth NOK 178 million in May.
•     Export volume increased by 13 per cent.
•     Export value increased by NOK 8 million, or 5 per cent, compared with May last year.
•     Denmark, Poland and the Netherlands were the largest markets for fresh cod from Norway in May.
•     Volume growth continues for fresh cod. The price increase for fresh fillets and whole cod from last month indicates an increasing demand in the markets.

Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council

Increased home consumption

"We know that much of the fresh cod exported to our largest recipient country, Denmark, is re-exported to France. This market stands out with strong growth in domestic consumption of fresh cod compared to the same time last year and previous years" says sea analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Open restaurants

"Home consumption is still important in France, and this seems set to continue. In mid-May, the restaurants opened their outdoor cafes, but indoor dining is only now opening up in June. Cod is a popular fish and also fits in well with modern trends such as health and wellness. It will, of course, be exciting to see if this increase in home consumption continues when the restaurants fully open", says the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to France, Trine Horne.

Fall in value for frozen cod

•     Norway exported 6,100 tonnes of frozen cod worth NOK 263 million in May.
•     This is an increase in the volume of 13 per cent.
•     Export value fell by NOK 18 million, or 7 per cent, compared with May last year.
•     The United Kingdom, France and China were the largest markets for frozen cod from Norway in May.

"The UK continues the positive trend, with increased imports during May of frozen cod fillet from Norway. The reopening of the country is well underway. We already see strong growth in restaurant visits, which could increase demand for frozen cod fillets in the future", says marine analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Photo: courtesy M&S

Growth for clipfish

•     Norway exported 5,600 tonnes of clipfish worth NOK 261 million in May. Export volume increased by 24 per cent.
•     The value of exports increased by NOK 59 million, or 29 per cent, compared with May 2020.
•     Portugal, Brazil and Congo-Brazzaville were the largest markets for Norwegian clipfish in May.

Portugal is consolidating its position as Norway's largest market for cod clipfish, and as much as 80 per cent of the export volume went to Portugal in May. Export volume to Portugal increased by 1,000 tonnes, or 160 per cent, from a weak May 2020. However, this is still almost 1,400 tonnes lower than in May 2019.

"Throughout the pandemic, the Portuguese have increased domestic consumption of clipfish, helped by lower prices in stores. In Portugal, the reopening of society is now in full swing. Open restaurants will positively contribute to the demand side", says seafood analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Saltfish export volume increases

•     Norway exported 4,000 tonnes of salted fish worth NOK 188 million in May.
•     This is an increase in volume of 55 per cent.
•     Export value increased by NOK 44 million, or 31 per cent, compared with May last year.
•     Portugal, Spain and Italy were the largest markets for Norwegian salted fish in May.

"Also for salted fish, Portugal is by far the largest export market in May, with 88 per cent of the export volume, and a volume increase of 96 per cent, or 1,650 tonnes, from May last year. Salted fish exports to Portugal last month were also 500 tonnes higher than in May 2019", says Eivind Hestvik Brækkan with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council

A fall in export value for stockfish

•     Norway exported 236 tonnes of stockfish worth NOK 34 million in May. Export volume increased by 19 per cent.
•     Export value fell by NOK 2 million, or 5 per cent, compared with May last year.
•     Italy, Nigeria and the USA were the largest markets for Norwegian stockfish in May.

The volume growth for stockfish to Italy continues, with as much as 84 per cent growth in volume from May last year. This year's total export volume is now also higher than in 2019, albeit at significantly lower prices.

Record exports to Nigeria

"Growth also continues to Nigeria, with an increase in the volume of stockfish heads of 400 tonnes, or 160 per cent, from May last year. The export value of stockfish heads to Nigeria has never been higher during the first five months of the year, with a total export value so far this year of almost NOK 60 million", says Seafood Analyst Eivind Hestvik Brækkan with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Source: Norwegian export council

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