OSLO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) — China has become a major destination for Norwegian frozen cod exports in terms of value growth for July. The export value surged by 29 million Norwegian kroner (2.63 million U.S. dollars), marking a 155-percent increase compared to the same month last year, according to the Norwegian Seafood Council.
The export volume of frozen cod to China reached 814 metric tons in July, a 77-percent increase from July 2023. So far this year, exports have surpassed 10,000 metric tons, which is over 1,000 metric tons more than at the same point last year, the council’s figures showed.
Christian Chramer, chief executive officer of the Norwegian Seafood Council, attributed the increase to the rising demand for Norwegian seafood among Chinese consumers and the depreciation of the Norwegian krone against both the euro and the dollar.
July was a record month for herring and mackerel exports from Norway. The country exported 10,734 metric tons of herring worth 211 million Norwegian kroner, representing a 19-percent increase in value despite a slight decrease in volume. Mackerel exports saw a significant boost, with value rising by 50 percent to 220 million Norwegian kroner and volume increasing by 39 percent.
Overall, the value of Norwegian seafood exports in July totaled 13 billion Norwegian kroner, marking an increase of 727 million kroner, or 6 percent, compared to July 2023. Norway exported seafood to 111 countries in July, with Poland, Denmark, and the Netherlands being the largest markets. (1 Norwegian krone = 0.091 U.S. dollar)