Norwegian seafood imports up 10%

The UK imported 41,897 tonnes of Norwegian cod, haddock and prawns in 2011 – an increase of almost 10% on the previous year. In export sales this equates to £112.9 million, up 16% from £97.2 million.

The figures, released by the Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), report that while volume exports of haddock and prawns were both up in 2011 by 19% and 9% respectively, cod exports were down 3% from 13,924 to 13,454 tonnes.

However, a closer look at Q4 shows a more positive picture for cod with volume exports up 3%. Over the same period, haddock and prawns also saw a healthy increase with volume exports up 35% and 11% respectively.

The figures follow the launch late last year of NSC’s two year marketing campaign FISK.FøREVER. It aims to encourage UK consumers to look out for Norwegian fish in store and for retailers to opt for Norwegian Seafood as a commitment to sustainable sourcing.

The NSC believes the best seafood in the world comes from Norway’s clear, cold waters, and combined with its excellent fisheries management, choosing Norwegian means consumers can enjoy seafood with a clear conscience.

In terms of overall exports, the UK market is the seventh largest out of the 130 countries Norway exported to in 2011.