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Bajo la superficie: Contrastes en las exportaciones noruegas de arenque y caballa

Rompecabezas pelágico: El arenque noruego mantiene su valor mientras los mercados de caballa prosperan

La paradoja del precio del arenque: Bajos volúmenes y alto valor definen las capturas noruegas del primer trimestre

El mercado noruego del arenque en el primer trimestre presentó una paradoja convincente: si bien el volumen de exportación cayó un 8%, hasta las 67.320 toneladas, el valor aumentó en 141 millones de coronas noruegas (12%), alcanzando los 1.300 millones de coronas noruegas en comparación con el mismo período del año anterior. Polonia, Egipto y Alemania se convirtieron en los principales mercados para el arenque noruego durante este período.

Jan Eirik Johnsen, director de Especies Pelágicas del Consejo Noruego de Productos del Mar, señaló esta inusual dinámica: "Hay que remontarse a 2015 para encontrar un volumen de exportación menor, pero el valor alcanzado es el cuarto más alto registrado". Esto pone de relieve un trimestre caracterizado por bajos volúmenes y precios notablemente altos para el arenque.

Almacenamiento estratégico antes del envío

Curiosamente, se desembarcaron alrededor de 119.000 toneladas de arenque en Noruega durante el primer trimestre, lo que representa un aumento con respecto a las 108.000 toneladas desembarcadas en el mismo período del año anterior. Esta discrepancia con las cifras de exportación se atribuye a la evolución de las prácticas de almacenamiento. "El arenque congelado puede almacenarse en Noruega antes de su envío según un programa acordado con los clientes. Esta tendencia al alza entre los exportadores noruegos implica una correlación menos directa entre la captura inmediata y los volúmenes de exportación que en el pasado", explicó Johnsen. La temporada de pesca del arenque noruego de desove primaveral (NVG), que abarca el final del año, contribuye aún más a esta separación temporal.

Fall in the price of fishmeal and fish oil

Shifting Dynamics in Raw Material Use

Jan Eirik Johnsen emphasized that a reduced landing of the dominant NVG herring compared to the 2023/2024 season has also influenced exports. Furthermore, falling prices for fishmeal and fish oil have lowered the cost of residual raw materials from fillet production, making the export of whole frozen herring a more economically attractive option. "Egypt has become a dominant player here, absorbing over half of all whole frozen herring exports from Norway," Johnsen stated.

Marinated Herring Finds New Momentum

The implementation of the customs agreement with the EU on January 1st has significantly boosted exports of marinated herring products. "Beyond a substantial rise in prices, both in Norwegian kroner and euros, since the start of the year, we've also seen increased volumes. In the first quarter, over 5,000 tonnes of marinated herring products were exported at a value of NOK 142 million, a significant jump from the 1,700 tonnes valued at NOK 41 million during the same period last year," Johnsen highlighted.

Herring Exports in March

• Norway exported 19,900 tonnes of herring worth NOK 382 million in March
• The value fell by NOK 45 million, or 10 per cent, compared with March last year
• Volume fell by 36 per cent

Mackerel Mania: Unexpected Strength in Exports

• Norway exported 54,934 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 1.7 billion in the first quarter
• The value increased by NOK 593 million, or 54 per cent, compared to the first quarter last year
• This is a growth in volume of 17 per cent
•  South Korea, Vietnam and China were the largest markets for mackerel in the first quarter

In stark contrast to herring, Norway's mackerel exports demonstrated surprising strength in the first quarter. Volume grew by 17 percent to 54,934 tonnes, while the value surged by NOK 593 million, or 54 percent, reaching NOK 1.7 billion compared to the first quarter of the previous year. South Korea, Vietnam, and China were the primary markets for mackerel.

Jan Eirik Johnsen commented on this unexpected performance: "Mackerel exports were surprisingly strong in the first quarter, especially considering the likely 22 percent reduction in the quota for this year. However, from a market perspective, this isn't entirely unexpected, as supply remains tight and demand is robust."

Factors Driving Mackerel Catch

The strong mackerel catch can be attributed to two main factors:

• In 2024, fishermen utilized the flexibility scheme for 2025 to catch approximately 15,000 tonnes above their quota.
• Norwegian boats engaged in mackerel fishing during January and February for the first time in many years.

The mackerel season spans from August to February, and the 2024/2025 season is projected to see around 330,000 tonnes landed in Norway, an increase from the 310,000 tonnes in the 2023/2024 season, directly influencing the increased export volumes. With tight supply, the price level remains at a record high. Notably, prices for mackerel under 600 grams, the most significant product category, rose by 35 percent to NOK 29.71 per kg, up from NOK 22.05 per kg in the first quarter of 2024.

Shifting Export Destinations for Mackerel

"On the market front, it's important to note a historically low level of direct exports to Japan, our most crucial market, in the first quarter. A significant portion of the mackerel destined for Japan is now processed in Vietnam and China, and we observed an increase in exports to these countries during the first quarter compared to last year," Jan Eirik Johnsen pointed out. The elevated mackerel prices have also intensified the focus on cost management. Johan Kvalheim, the Norwegian Seafood Council's envoy to Japan and South Korea, explained, "Processing in Japan has been partially reduced in favor of increased processing in lower-cost countries such as Vietnam and China. Additionally, there's a growing demand for boneless mackerel fillets, which are currently produced in Japan but increasingly in Vietnam."

Mackerel Exports in March

• Norway exported 12,500 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 388 million in March
• The value increased by NOK 150 million, or 63 per cent, compared to March last year
• This is a growth in volume of 27 per cent

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