Photo: Stockfile/FIS

Mixed Fortunes for Norwegian Pelagic (herring and mackerel) Exports in July

NORWAY
Wednesday, August 06, 2025, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

Herring and mackerel exports saw a decline in July, but the overall herring season proved strong, and new markets are driving demand for specific products.

Weak month for herring

• Norway exported 9,521 tonnes of herring worth NOK 184 million in July
• The value fell by NOK 27 million, or 13 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• Volume fell by 11 per cent
• Poland, the Netherlands and Germany were the largest markets for herring in July

May, June and July are important months for catching North Sea herring. Fishing in June was particularly good this year, while July was somewhat weaker than last year.

“This is also reflected in July exports, which are somewhat weaker compared with last year. Overall, however, there was an increase in herring exports in these three months compared with last year, up from 29,000 tonnes to 32,400 tonnes, equivalent to 12 per cent," says Jan Eirik Johnsen, head of pelagic species at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Increased export of matjes herring

Summer is also the time for exports of matjes herring.

“This is a very special herring product that is mainly in demand in the Netherlands. The exports in May, June and July have increased by 10 per cent, from 6,000 to 6,600 tonnes, and it is reported that this year's herring season has been good," says Johnsen.

Click on the image to enlarge it

Lacklustre for mackerel exports

• Norway exported 5,956 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 185 million in July
• The value fell by NOK 33 million, or 15 per cent, compared with the same month last year
• The volume fell by 34 per cent
• Nigeria, Egypt and the Netherlands were the largest markets for mackerel in July

The main season for mackerel fishing does not start until August, but for the past four years there has been a mackerel fishery around Lofoten where around 12,000-14,000 tonnes have been landed in June and July.

Click on the image to enlarge it

Increased by-catch

“Fishing has been weaker this year, and the Herring Council's landing statistics show that the total mackerel landings in June and July this year amounted to 8,000 tonnes. At the same time, a lot more mackerel has been caught as by-catch in the North Sea herring fishery this year," says Jan Eirik Johnsen, head of pelagic species at the Norwegian Seafood Council.

"These are mackerel of a smaller size and with a lower fat content than autumn mackerel. This mackerel is in demand in African markets that mainly smoke mackerel".

[email protected]
www.seafood.media

Print