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Norwegian crab and cold water prawn exports in May

NORWAY
Wednesday, June 07, 2023, 07:10 (GMT + 9)

Strong export volume growth for king crab

• Norway exported 154 tonnes of king crab worth NOK 76 million in May
• The value increased by NOK 39 million, or 102 per cent, compared to May last year
• There is a growth in the volume of 178 per cent
• The USA, South Korea and Hong Kong SAR were the biggest markets for king crab in May

Norwegian King Crab Broken Pieces, Frozen, From 1-1.3kg Size Clusters. Photo: finefoodspecialist.co.uk -->

The market situation and logistics were far better in May this year than at the same time last year when the logistics of live goods to Asia were affected by closed airspace over Russia.

May was the all-time best export month for King crab

“May was the strongest month ever for king crab exports. Increased landings have resulted in increased exports of both frozen and live king crab of 53 and 45 tonnes respectively”, says Josefine Voraa, Manager for Shellfish with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The US was the largest market for both live and frozen king crab in May. Exports ended at 51 tonnes in total, which is 150 per cent higher than the same month in 2022.

The export value increased by NOK 18 million, or 137 per cent.

“Growth has come primarily from increased exports of frozen goods, as there is starting to be less and less Russian king crab available in stock", says Voraa.

A weak May for snow crab

• Norway exported 347 tonnes of snow crab to a value of NOK 32 million in May
• The value fell by NOK 79 million, or 71 per cent, compared to May last year
• The volume fell by 44 per cent
• The USA, Vietnam and Indonesia were the biggest markets for snow crab in May

Exports of snow crab in May are lower than it has been in the last two years.

“This is primarily due to increased exports early in the year as a result of increased landings early in the season”, says Josefine Voraa, Manager for Shellfish with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

The USA was the largest market in May

The United States was the largest market for snow crab in May.

“This market thus continues the growth we have seen so far this year, measured in volume. The export price, on the other hand, is NOK 105 per kg, or 56 per cent, lower than it was in the same month last year", explains Voraa.

A fall in export value and volume for prawn

• Norway exported 1,396 tonnes of prawns worth NOK 112 million in May
• The value fell by NOK 6 million, or 5 per cent, compared to May last year
• The volume fell by 44 per cent
• Sweden, Great Britain, and Denmark were the biggest markets for prawns in May

The decrease in the export of prawns in May is primarily due to a decrease in the export of industrial prawns to Iceland. In the same month last year, 1,414 tonnes were exported, compared to nothing this year. The decrease amounts to NOK 37.8 million measured by export value.

Frozen peeled prawns are the biggest product

“Frozen peeled prawns accounted for 62 per cent of the export value in May. The export volume is flat, but export value increased by 9 per cent compared to May 2022”, says Josefine Voraa, Manager for Shellfish with the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Cooked peeled prawn accounted for the largest growth in volume and value.

The impact of increased landings

“Increased landings have driven the 874 per cent rise in export volumes to 513 tonnes”, says Voraa.

Increased demand and a weakened krone have contributed to the export price of NOK 64 per kg being 19 per cent higher than in May last year.

Ukraine is both in May and so far this year the largest export market for frozen, cooked peeled prawn.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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