General Summary

The total catch of wild fish in 1994 was slightly down from previous two years. However, there has been an increase in catch of quality fish (consumer fish) and less of fish for fish oil and meal. According to the fishermen organization (Raafiskarlaget), the value of the fish caught increased as much as 24 percent. The production of farmed salmon increased with 207,000 tons in 1994, and is expected to almost reach 300,000 tons in 1995. Only 10 percent of the wild fish caught, are actually consumed in Norway, and only 5 percent of the farmed salmon. However, there exists no official statistic as to how much is consumed in the domestic market. In 1994 Norway exported fish for more than NOK 19 billion (US$ 3 billion) of which the export to EU was nearly NOK 12 billion (US$ 1.9 billion). The overall export increased nearly 18 percent from 1993 in value and 7 percent in volume. Of the total value exported farmed salmon counted for about 33 percent. For the first seven months of 1995, the overall export has increased only 6 percent while the salmon export has increased 12.5 percent. The moderate increase in the salmon export might cause some concern as the production of salmon might increase as much as 45 percent. It is said that the export of salmon from September to the end of the year will have to be more than 6,000 tons a week, while the actual export at the moment is only about 3,500 tons. The overall export of fish from Norway to US increase as much as 40 percent in volume and 27 percent in value from 1993 to 1994. The largest increase has been in frozen haddock and filet of cod, while the salmon export is still very low because of the high duty into US. The export of fish from US to Norway was very limited and totaled at only US$ 11 million in 1994.

Production

Catches

The overall catch of total wild fish has been very stable the last three years and totaled 2.328 million tons in 1994. This is slightly down from last years 2.384 million tons, but an increase in value of 20 percent, and reached NOK 7.248(US$ 1.150) million in 1994. In 1994, there have been caught much more " consumer" fish than in previous years, and less fish going to meal and oil. The reason for this is that the catches of capelin fish dropped from more than 500,000 tons in 1993 too only about 113,000 tons in 1994.

Total quantities and main fish species nominal catch, and how the landings are disposed of in landing round weight are outlined below.

Report Code: NO9554A
AGR Number: NO5016
Page: 2
Seafood

Production

Catches

No significant changes in the pattern for 1995 are expected, as most of the catches and resources are regulated through a corporation by Norwegian and Russian Authorities, who regularly analyze the resources, and share quotas. However, some concern to the resources the last year has been the catches of fish in the "Loophole," which might have an effect on future stocks of cod.

Below are listed the wild catch production of the main species reported on, which are showing significant increases in catches of especially cod and haddock. So far, there are few on the catches in 1995, but it is reported that the catches in the main areas are good and that Norway will fulfil their quotas.

Report Code: NO9554A
AGR Number: NO5016
Page: 3
Seafood

Production

Cod:
The increased catch of cod is a result of increased resources in the ocean and the quotas recommended by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Cod increased from 356,000 tons in 1992 to 550,000 tons in 1993 and, finally, 750,000 tons in 1994. For 1994, this quota has been divided between Russia and Norway after long negotiations. The result was that Norway was given 336,000 tons, Russia 316,000 tons and others 88,000 tons. Of the Norwegian quota, 10,000 tons was traded with the Russians for catch in their area.

For 1995 the quota for catch of cod has been set at 740,000 tons to be divided between Russia and Norway. 314,000 tons were given to Russia, 338,000 tons to Norway and 88,000 tons to others. Of the last 88,000 tons, 28,000 tons should be caught in the Svaldbar shone. Of the 338,000 tons, 40,000 tons should be Norwegian "coast cod."

According to the Marine Research Institute, they see little change in both 1996 and 1997, however, such a prediction depends on stable recruiting and growth.

Haddock:

In 1994, the quota for haddock was estimated to be 120,000 tons of which Russia was allocated 50,000 tons and Norway 62,000 tons (6,000 tons of which have been bought from Russia). In addition, Norway had a costal quota of 5,000 tons. Other countries were allocated 8,000 tons. According to the available statistics, the total catch compiled with the 1994 quota.

For 1995, ICES has not given any specific suggestion as to quotas for haddock. Based on this, the Russian/Norwegian Fishing Commission has agreed on a quota for 1995 of 130,000 tons to be caught. Of this quota, Russia will dispose of 57,000 tons, Norway 65,000 tons and others 8,000 tons. In addition to this Norway will get 4,000 tons of the Russian quota and 5,000 tons of a coastal haddock, making a total of 74,000 tons for Norway in 1995.

Saithe:
The total estimated quota in 1994 for saithe was divided between North Arctic saithe and North Sea and Skagerak saithe. According to the Marine Fisheries Research Institute, the Norwegian quota for 1994 was 139,000 tons in the North Arctic and 48,000 tons in the North Sea and Skagerak. The total catch in 1994 was within the quota.  Because of good resources the quota for North Arctic saithe has been

The total production of salmon in 1994 was the highest ever, and according to the trade, the fish farmers have in 1994 earned good money as there has been a balance between production and demand. It is anticipated that the fish farmers in 1994 contributed US$ one billion to the GDP; farmers will earn about US$ 0.70 per kilo in average. Of the total production of salmon, more than 76 percent is sold as fresh salmon, and more than 80 percent exported on the spot market.

While the smolt used in 1993 was 63 million, the number for the coming years is expected to be 80 million. This will mean an increase in the production of salmon in the coming years. In addition, the fish farming industry experienced fewer diseases than expected, which will be also contributed to higher output of salmon. The cost of producing salmon has been reduced by almost 30 percent in two years. The decline was the result of increased productivity and decreased incidence of diseases.

The production of salmon in 1995 is expected to increase to about 300,000 tons. Already today the trade has estimated the biomass in the sea to be about 160,000 tons, which is about 50,000 tons higher than at the same time last year. With these large stocks in the sea, it is predicted that about 200,000 tons of salmon will come into the market the last half year of 1995.

Consumption:

No statistics are currently available as to Norwegian consumption of fish. We were promised last year that such a statistic would be available this year, and the message we have from the Norwegian Seafood Export Council, is that some statistic will be released in November this year. The Export Council, which today is responsible for the export of fish, will also have the responsebility of marketing Norwegian fish on the domestic market. To do this, they will use about NOK 11 million (US$ 1.7

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AGR Number: NO5016
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Seafood

Trade:

Trade General
The Norwegian total export/import of fish in tons and U.S$ in product weight, and the main export and import countries.

Export:

Import:

Trade trends

Cod products:
The large increase in landings of cod resulted first of all in increased export of salt fish and frozen filets in blocks. The total export increased with as much as 18 percent in tonnage; the export of salt fish increased 33 percent. The main buyer of salt fish was Portugal. As to filet, Great Britain was the buyer of more than 40 percent of the total tonnage sold.

Trade trends

Trade trends

Saithe products:
There has been little change in the export volume of saithe from 1993 to 1994. However, there has been an increase in the export of klipfish of

Report Code: NO9554A
AGR Number: NO5016
Page: 8

Seafood

Trade:

Trade trends
saithe to Africa, but at a very low price. The trade expects some increase to the EU market in the coming years as the duty to EU for fresh saithe will be zero, according to the EEA agreement.

Trade by tariff codes:
NORWAY: Cod export and import .
H.S. TARIFF CODE: 0302.5000 fresh and chilled

EXPORT:

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AGR Number: NO5016
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Seafood
Trade:

Trade trends

Trade trends
Salmon export:
The overall salmon export in 1994 was 170,583 tons in product weight at a value of NOK 6.488 billion, which was an increase of 19 percent in volume compared with 1993. For the first seven months of 1995, the export has continued to increase, and reached 100,789 tons by the end of July this year at a value NOK 3.575 billion. The increase in volume this year is 23 percent and in value 12.5 percent. However, based on the overall projected production this year (300,000 tons), a lot of Norwegian salmon is expected to enter the market the last five months of this year. About 85 percent of the salmon entering the export market are fresh salmon; either whole, eviscerated or filets.

Report Code: NO9554A
AGR Number: NO5016
Page: 13
Seafood
Trade trends

Factors Affecting U.S. Trade.

The overall export of fish from Norway to U.S. reached more than 26,000 metric tons in 1994, which is more than a 40 percent increase. The value reached US$ 103 million. The largest increase has been in frozen haddock and filet of cod, while the export of Norwegian salmon continues to decline because of the high duty (26% average). The export of fresh salmon to U.S. was 12,000 tons in 1989, but is now reduced to about 200 tons in 1994. The figures for the first seven months of 1995 shows that the exports to US continue to increase, and for frozen filets of cod the tonnage is already higher than the total of 1994.

Imports from U.S., were only 2,782 tons, at a value of US$ 8,645 million. The import from US is dominated by some frozen cod and peeled shrimps.