Norwegian salmon prices, volumes mostly flat

In the 28th week of 2023, average Norwegian salmon prices recorded a slight decline of NOK 0.18 (USD 0.02, EUR 0.02), or 0.2 percent, to NOK 91.01 (USD 9.11, EUR 8.12) compared to the week prior.

Last week, prices increased 3.36 percent, according to the Nasdaq Salmon Index, which provides weekly sales updates and a weighted average price for fresh, head-on gutted Atlantic superior salmon from Norway. 

In the past four weeks, Norwegian salmon prices have declined 0.38 percent, or NOK 0.35 (USD 0.04, EUR 0.03), and in the past 12 weeks, they declined 25.79 percent, or NOK 31.62 (USD 3.16, EUR 2.82).

Prices for 1-to 2-kilogram salmon decreased NOK 1.05 (USD 0.11, EUR 0.10) to NOK 51.96 (USD 5.17, EUR 4.61), and the category accounted for 2.90 percent of sales in the week. Two- to 3-kilogram fish, which accounted for 29.22 percent of all sales, sold for a per-kilo average of NOK 71.14 (USD 7.10, EUR 6.34), an increase of NOK 1.31 (USD 0.13, EUR 0.12). Three- to 4-kilo salmon, which made up 24.79 percent of all fish sold, and had a per-kilo average price of NOK 86.52 (USD 8.63, EUR 7.71), an increase of NOK 0.73 (USD 0.073, EUR 0.065). The 4- to 5-kilogram category made up 18.72 percent of all sales, and the average price increased NOK 1.52 (USD 0.15, EUR 0.14) from last week’s NOK 96.94 (USD 9.66, EUR 8.63). Norwegian salmon weighing between 5 and 6 kilograms, representing 15.86 percent of total sales, reached an average per-kilo price of NOK 113.45 (USD 11.31, EUR 10.10) up NOK 5.55 (USD 0.55, EUR 0.49).

Norway exported a total of 17,844 MT of Atlantic salmon in the 28th week of 2023, down from 17,935 MT in the same week in 2022 and down from 19,220 MT seen in week 27.

Fish Pool reported futures trending down for the foreseeable future. July is reported at NOK 89.20 (USD 8.89, EUR 7.94) per kilogram, down from NOK 91.75 (USD 9.08, EUR 8.16) reported last week. August's future pricing has also declined week-over-week to NOK 73.45 (USD 7.32, EUR 6.54), as was September at NOK 72.10 (USD 7.19, EUR 6.42).

In the U.S. fresh salmon prices jumped 4.9 percent by volume in June, but dropped 1.4 percent by value to USD 11.46 (EUR 10.20) per pound on average, according to Circana and 210 Analytics. Salmon remains the most popular fish in fresh seafood departments, generating USD 1.4 billion (EUR 1.2 billion) in sales during the first six months of the year, 210 Analytics President Anne-Marie Roerink told SeafoodSource.

“Salmon has become a true powerhouse in fresh [sales] and is making inroads in frozen [sales] as well,” she said.

Photo courtesy of Obraz/Shutterstock