France was the largest importer of Norwegian seafood in 2007, but Russia is at the same level, despite certain import restrictions. France and Russia imported seafood worth some € 475 million each from Norway. The import level for France is the same as in 2006, while the trade with Russia has increased by almost € 75 million.
European market dominates
63 percent of the Norwegian seafood export ends up in the European Union, while Russia accounts for 10 percent. – This illustrates Norway’s unique position as supplier of seafood to quality demanding consumers in the vicinity, says Terje E. Martinussen, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Export Council.
The European Union is by far the most important market for Norwegian seafood, but looking back some years the trend was even stronger. In 1992 the EU, which at the time had only 12 member states, accounted for 77 percent of the Norwegian exports, says Geir Evensen. He stresses that such a situation implies a heavy dependency on one market; the increase in exports to other markets is therefore welcome.
A total of 15 countries imported NOK 1 billion (app. € 125 million) worth of Norwegian seafood in 2007. 10 of these are EU member states. Following France and Russia is Denmark, UK and Portugal. The export to the EU increased by app. € 45 million last year. The development does however differ widely between the member states. The export to Portugal increased with app. € 57,5 million and that to the Netherlands with almost € 25 million. At the same time the export to the UK was reduced by some € 16 million.
The prospects are good, and 2008 is expected to be another good year for Norwegian seafood exports. Photo: EFF
Bright prospects
The fisheries counsellor is optimistic with regards to record exports also in 2008; - The prospects are good. Seafood is generally popular and markets outside the EU are growing. Hopefully, the European Union will also remove the trade barriers against Norwegian salmon this year. It is in other words not particularly bold to believe in a new record in 2008 as well, says Mr. Evensen. He reminds, however, that stable conditions in the Russian market will be important, particularly with regards to the large increase in the quotas for herring.
2006 was the first year when the value of exports from the fish farming sector was greater than for the traditional fisheries. This was repeated in 2007, although the traditional fisheries gained on the fish farming industry. The exports of salmon increased in 2007 by 129 000 tonnes to 706 000 tonnes. 509 000 tonnes went to the EU. In addition to salmon, 2007 was a good year for cod and herring. The export value of cod increased by app. € 93 million, accounting for half of the growth in Norwegian seafood export in 2007.
In total the seafood export increased by some € 187,5 million to more than € 4,6 billion.
Frode Dal Fjeldavli