Photo Courtesy from Norwegian Seafood Council

International market situation for Norwegian herring and mackerel

NORWAY
Thursday, August 04, 2022, 07:10 (GMT + 9)

Good prices for North Sea herring for the consumer market

•     Norway exported 12,300 tonnes of herring worth NOK 166 million in July.
•     The export volume fell by 2 per cent.
•     Export value increased by NOK 7 million, or 4 per cent, compared to July last year.
•     Poland, the Netherlands, and Spain were the biggest markets for Norwegian herring in July.

Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council

For the past two years, Norwegian fishermen have not had free access to fish North Sea herring in the UK zone. This has led to an earlier start to the fishing season with many small herring of lower quality. More than half of the North Sea herring has gone to meal and oil this year. Less North Sea herring for consumption has led to increased prices for North Sea herring fillet products, and in July the average price for skinless fillets increased by 26 per cent to NOK 20.10 per kg.

Foto: gentileza: Nergard Group

Exporters are satisfied with the herring season

This year, 7,000 tonnes of whole cured North Sea herring were exported to the Netherlands in May - July, compared to 8,100 tonnes last year, a decrease of 14 per cent.

“Usually, June and July are high season for the export of herring to the Netherlands, but due to the early start of the season, exports increased in May this year and fell in June and July”. says Jan Eirik Johnsen, Manager for Pelagic Species with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

“The exporters describe this year's food season as a decent season, and it went as expected given the early start. The Dutch have received the volumes they wanted, and the decline is also due to reduced herring stock levels because of the corona pandemic's impact on herring sales”, sums up Johnsen.

Egypt has become an important market for mackerel

•     Norway exported 7,800 tonnes of mackerel to a total value of NOK 149 million in July.
•     There is a decrease in export volume of 32 per cent.
•     Export value fell by NOK 23 million, or 14 per cent, compared to July last year.
•     Egypt, Vietnam, and Lithuania were the biggest markets for Norwegian mackerel in July.

<---Photo: Norwegian Seafood Council

“With a large mackerel quota and lack of access to fishing in the UK zone, this year's mackerel fishing also started early. The summer mackerel is sought after in markets where it is smoked, such as in Egypt. Egypt has become an important market for both herring and mackerel from Norway. Last year, Egypt was the largest market in volume for herring and mackerel combined, and so far this year the export of these two species has increased by 63 per cent, from 21,000 to 34,000 tonnes”, says Johnsen.

Source: Norwegian Seafood Council

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