W7 Salmon Update: Norwegian Salmon Industry Balances Rising Mortality Rates with Record Export Values

Published 2024년 2월 23일

In W7 in the salmon landscape, Norway's salmon industry faced challenges in 2023 with a rising mortality rate among farmed salmon, attributed to jellyfish attacks and pancreatic disease outbreaks. This prompted an increased focus on fish health and welfare. Despite this, Norwegian seafood exports, particularly salmon and trout, reached record values in 2023 due to significant price increases, compensating for modest volume declines. Salmon exports saw a 2% YoY decrease in volume but a notable 16% YoY increase in value, with Poland, France, and the US as key destinations. Trout exports experienced growth in volume and value, with significant increases in exports to Ukraine.

Norway Records Rising Salmon Mortality Rate in 2023

In W6, The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has reported an increase in the mortality rate for farmed salmon in the sea phase during 2023. The mortality rate reached 16.7% in 2023, compared to 16.1% in the previous year, representing a 0.6% year-over-year (YoY) increase. While the specific reasons behind the rise are yet to be fully elucidated, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research identified potential contributing factors identified such as jellyfish attacks, which reportedly occurred along a significant portion of the Norwegian coast, and pancreatic disease outbreaks, which were observed in the Nordland region.

The increase in mortality has prompted increased attention to fish health, welfare, and mortality within the industry and administration. Initiatives are underway to improve these aspects and gain a clearer understanding of the factors contributing to the rise in mortality.

Norwegian Salmon and Trout Exports See Record Value Despite Volume Decline

Norwegian seafood exports achieved record highs in 2023, driven primarily by significant price increases for salmon and trout. While export volumes for both species witnessed modest changes, their combined value surged, highlighting the impact of rising prices on overall export performance. Salmon exports totaled 1.2 million metric tons (mmt) in 2023, reflecting a 2% YoY decline. The export value of salmon reached USD 107.4 billion, representing a notable 16% YoY increase. This growth is attributed to a significant rise in average export prices.

Poland, France, and the United States (US) remained the leading export destinations for Norwegian salmon. The export price of salmon slices to Poland reached USD 14.17 per kilogram (kg), reflecting a USD 2.97/kg YoY increase. Similarly, the price of fresh whole salmon exports rose to USD 8.90/kg, up by USD 1.34 YoY.

In contrast to salmon, Norwegian trout exports witnessed growth in both volume and value in 2023. Export volume reached 56.9 thousand mt, representing a 4% YoY increase, while the export value rose by 10% YoY to USD 530 million. The US, Ukraine, and Thailand emerged as the primary export destinations for Norwegian trout. Notably, exports to Ukraine exhibited significant growth, with both volume and value increasing by 76% and 92% YoY, respectively.