Norwegian herring exports have totalled NOK 2.3 billion so far this year. This is a decrease of 16 per cent compared with the same period last year. Mackerel exports year to date totalled NOK 3.9 billion, an increase of 42 per cent on the same period a year earlier. China is the largest market for pelagic fish, leading Japan and the Netherlands.
”Large volumes of fished mackerel have found their way to markets in Asia and contributed to good export figures, even following our record month in October”, says Kristin Lien, Senior Market Analyst at the Norwegian Seafood Council.
In November, Norway exported herring worth NOK 464 million. A decrease of 20 per cent compared with November 2013. Mackerel exports totalled NOK 598 million, an increase of 46 per cent compared with November 2013.
China is the biggest importer of mackerel
Year to date, 367,000 tonnes of frozen whole mackerel have been exported. This represents an increase of 59 per cent on the same period in 2013. The largest import markets for mackerel were China, Japan, Nigeria and the Netherlands. Mackerel sent to China is primarily for processing and is then exported to consumer markets in Japan.
The average price of frozen whole mackerel year to date has been NOK 10.25 per kg, which is a 9 per cent decrease on the same period in 2013.
In November, Norway exported 59,000 tonnes of frozen whole mackerel, a gain of 76 per cent on the same month in 2013. The bulk of export volumes have been to China, Japan and Nigeria.
Ukraine the largest market for frozen herring
Frozen whole herring exports have totalled 133,000 year to date. This is a decrease of 24 per cent compared with the same period last year. Ukraine, Russia and Lithuania have been the biggest markets in the period. The average price achieved for frozen whole herring was NOK 7.09 per kg, which is 3 per cent lower than the corresponding period last year.
18,000 tonnes of frozen whole herring were exported in November, which is 60 per cent less than in November 2013. The largest volumes have been to Ukraine and Lithuania.
90,000 tonnes of frozen herring fillet products have been exported year to date. An increase of 1 percent on the same period in 2013. The largest markets by volume have been Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Russia. The average price of frozen herring fillet products was NOK 11.55 per kg, a decrease of 5 per cent on the previous year.
In November, 19,000 tonnes of frozen herring fillet products were exported. This is 13 per cent less than in November 2013. The largest volumes have been exported to Poland and Germany.
