But the value of exports in June showed a sharp downturn, almost certainly reflecting the recent dramatic drop in prices for Norwegian salmon. Exports for that month fell by 426 million kroners - or £49-million to a total of 3.8 billion kroners (£439 million). The lower prices are likely to continue for a while yet which will impact on figures for the second half of the year. Analysts are predicting a pick-up as the Christmas season approaches.

Nonetheless, exports of Norwegian fish continued unabated, said Merete N. Kristiansen from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council, adding that while there was growth in several segments, farmed salmon remained the driving force.

The exports value of salmon during the first half period was 15 billion kroners, and increase of eight per cent over the corresponding period last year. The volume  totalled 362,000 tons - an increase of 3,000 tons over 2010. The average price for the half year was 39.08 kroners per kilo, compared to 32.77 kroners in June.  France and Poland remain the two largest buyers of Norwegian salmon.

Merete N. Kristiansen said: “Norwegian Salmon is sold to over 100 markets and is still achieving good prices. After three years of continuous growth, June saw a change in price that reflected expectations of a more competitive market in the future, although we can certainly count the first half-year as a whole as yet another strong period for exports of Norwegian Salmon.”

For the year to date, the value of exports of fresh Norwegian Cod products totals  793 million kroners (£91-million). This is an increase of 16 per cent. The biggest growth was in exports to Spain, while the biggest markets for fresh Norwegian Cod are Denmark and France, although more is now appearing in the UK and in fish markets such as Grimsby. Exports of pelagics like herring and mackerel also showed solid growth.

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