Norwegian salmon prices remain flat, export volumes slow

The average price of a kilogram of Atlantic salmon farmed in Norway is up just NOK 0.27 (USD 0.01, EUR 0.01) over the past week, according to The Nasdaq Salmon Index.

In week 45 of 2023, the Oslo Børs Fish Pool Price Status reported Norway exported 23,852 metric tons (MT) of salmon, down from 24,421 MT exported in the corresponding week of 2022, and down from the 24,437 MT exported overseas in week 44 of 2023.

The index, which provides weekly sales updates and a weighted average price for fresh, head-on gutted Atlantic superior salmon from Norway, found the average per-kilogram price of salmon has declined NOK 1.77 (USD 0.16, EUR 0.15) over the past four weeks. Compared to the price 12 weeks ago, however, the price has risen NOK 4.54 (USD 0.42, EUR 0.39).

The Norwegian Salmon Council's weekly report on Norwegian seafood exports, meanwhile, indicates that the country exported 23,890 MT of salmon. The largest volume of salmon was exported to the E.U., with 18,677 MT – less than the 24,699 MT in the same week of 2022. 

In Europe, Poland received 5,227 MT of Norwegian salmon, down from last week’s 7,506 MT; the Netherlands imported 5,227 MT, up from 2,506 MT; France imported 2,160 MT, up from 2,416 MT; Denmark imported 1,899 MT, down from 2,618 MT; Spain imported 1,698 MT, down from 1,748 MT; Italy imported 1,371 MT, up from 1,336 MT; and the United Kingdom imported 1,341 MT, up from last week’s 1,235 MT.

China received 764 MT, down from last week’s 814 MT, and the U.S. imported 539 MT, up from last week’s 535. 

One- to 2-kilogram salmon accounted for 0.17 percent of total sales, with an average price of NOK 66.92 (USD 6.20, EUR 5.71), an increase of NOK 5.32 (USD 0.49, EUR 0.45) over last week, Fish Pool reported. Two-to-3-kilogram salmon accounted for 4.64 percent of total sales, and sold for an average of NOK 75.75 (USD 7.02, EUR 6.46), up NOK 1.44 (USD 0.13, EUR 0.12).

Salmon in the 3- to 4-kilogram range made up 24.42 percent of all fish sold, and had a per-kilogram average price of NOK 77.37 (USD 7.17, EUR 6.60), an increase of just NOK 0.11 (USD 0.01, EUR 0.01). The 4-to-5-kilogram category, comprising 36.60 percent of total sales, saw its average price decline slightly by NOK 0.30 (USD 0.01, EUR 0.01) from last week.

Salmon between 5 and 6 kilograms, representing 23.96 percent of total sales, declined to an average per-kilogram price of NOK 78.51 (USD 7.28, EUR 6.70), down NOK 1.13 (USD 0.10, EUR 0.01), while 6- to 7-kilogram salmon, which accounted for 8.35 percent of the total distribution, sold for an average of NOK 79.21 (USD 7.34, EUR 6.76) – an increase of NOK 1.82 (USD 0.17, EUR 0.16). The price of salmon weighing between 7 and 8 kilograms has increased to NOK 80.27 (USD 7.44, EUR 6.85), and made up 1.46 percent of the total distribution.

Fish Pool reported November's futures pricing declined to NOK 77.75 (USD 7.21, EUR 6.63) from last week’s NOK 78.50 (USD 7.01, EUR 6.55). December's future pricing declined to NOK 85.00 (USD 7.88, EUR 7.25) from last week’s NOK 87.00 (USD 8.06, EUR 7.42). 

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