Norway exported 640,000 tonnes of seafood with an export value of NOK 25.6 billion in the first quarter of 2019. This represents is a decline in volume of 18 per cent but a growth in value of 7 per cent or NOK 1.8 billion measured against the first quarter of 2018. The volume decline was just 2% when the pelagic category is excluded from the statistics.

“The volume decline in the pelagic category is due to lack of capelin this year, in addition to delays in the reporting of blue whiting from direct landings abroad”, says seafood analyst Paul T. Aandahl with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

“The value of seafood exports in the first quarter have reached a record high. This is mainly driven by increased prices for several of our most important species. There are good, stable market conditions, increased demand in our key markets, and a weak Norwegian kroner against both the US dollar and the euro sets a record price for seafood exports”, says seafood analyst Ingrid K. Pettersen with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Norway exported 205,400 tonnes of seafood at a value of NOK 9.1 billion in March. This is a decline in volume of 36 per cent and an increase in value of 1 per cent or NOK 89 million compared with March last year.

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