Herring exports from Norway fell due to lower catch volumes in the first half of the year

Compared to the first half of last year, exports fell by NOK 160 million, or 8 percent. Export volumes fell by 18%. Poland, Denmark and Lithuania were the largest markets for herring in the first half of the year. The decrease in exports is explained by a decrease in herring catches in the first half of the year. “The Norwegian spring spawning herring (NVG) catch has fallen by as much as 75,000 tonnes, down 43% on the first half of last year. This is due to a sharp reduction in quotas,” says Jan Eirik Johnsen, head of pelagic species at the Norwegian Seafood Council. In 2023, the quota was 388,000 tons, while in 2024 it will be 256,000 tons, a 34% decrease. “Even though significantly fewer herring were caught this year, the remaining quota for the fall is lower than last year. Last year there were 213,000 tons left for the fall, while this year there were 155,000 tons left, which is 27% less,” says Johnsen. For North Sea herring, the quota was increased by 29%, from 117,000 tons ...