Image: Norwegian Seafood Council

Norwegian seafood exports reach a historic milestone in November

NORWAY
Friday, December 03, 2021, 19:00 (GMT + 9)

Norway exported seafood worth NOK 12 billion (US$ 1.3 billion) in November. 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 (US$ 11.9 billion). This milestone breaks the annual record from 2019 of NOK 107.2 billion.

“Although we still have major challenges with the corona pandemic both at home and abroad, we are experiencing a growth in demand compared with November last year. This applies to important species such as salmon, cod, trout, saithe and king crab”, says Renate Larsen, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Minister praises achievement

The existing record for export value held since 2019 was smashed last Friday, following a banner November in which the export value in the first three weeks of November averaged NOK 2.7 billion. The last week was even stronger.

“There are many skilled professionals along the entire coast who have contributed to the industry's impressive export record. With high demand for Norwegian seafood, good prices and the Christmas season ahead of us, I believe that we will have a strong end to this record year 2021”, says Bjørnar Skjæran (Labor party), Minister of Fisheries and Marine Affairs.

Hitting the spot

With a normal export value in December, the annual record from 2019 will be beaten by around NOK 10-11 billion, Renate Larsen believes.

“This is happening despite the fact that both 2020 and 2021 are very challenging. When we still set a new value record after the first 11 months of the year, it shows that Norwegian seafood hits well in the market demand", says Renate Larsen.

Better equipped

The spread of the new virus variant omikron has marked the beginning of December. Larsen is uncertain whether it will affect Christmas sales of seafood.

“We do not believe that a possible new shutdown will affect demand as dramatically as at the start of the corona pandemic. Many people have learned to make seafood at home at the same time as new shopping patterns have been established with online shopping and increased use of home delivery. This makes fresh seafood products better equipped than at the start of the pandemic when the fresh fish counters in several countries closed down”, says Renate Larsen.

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