Total catches of Saithe decreased, export of clipfish  increased 8% YoY, and exported frozen Norwegian haddock to China increased by 36% from 2020. 

The monthly Groundfish report gives valuable insight into the groundfish species haddock, saithe, pollock, and hake, through extensive data presentation and comments. This month we give you a little insight into the findings from our latest Groundfish report and noteworthy changes in the industry. 

Saithe

The major fishing nations for catches of Saithe are Norway, Iceland, Faroe Islands and Denmark where Norway is the most important accounting for about 65-70% of the total catches. Including October, the total catch of Saithe from these countries reached 234.200 tonnes a 1% decrease from last year. Both Iceland and Denmark have increased their catch volumes by 12.000 and 5.000 tonnes respectively while the Norwegian catches of Saithe amounted to 153.630 tonnes in January-October which is 8% less than for the same period last year.

The most important export products for Norwegian Saithe are clipfish of saithe, frozen saithe and fresh saithe. The export of clipfish has increased by 8% YoY and reached 40.400 tonnes product weight in October. The main markets are Dominican Republic, Congo and Brazil which accounts for about 75% of the total export volume. Frozen saithe is mainly exported to China and processing hubs in the EU such as Lithuania and Poland. The export of frozen saithe was 20.950 tonnes product weight in January-October 2021 a 19% decrease YoY. There was exported 15.920 tonnes of fresh saithe from Norway in the period where the entire volume is destined to the EU. Denmark is the largest importer accounting for 80% of the volume. Fresh saithe products are to a large extent re-distributed to other EU countries after entering Denmark.

Haddock

Norwegian catches of haddock amounted to 73.990 tonnes in January-October which is 6% less than for the same period last year despite the increase in quota. Including October the total catch of Haddock from Norway, Russia, Iceland and the Faroe Islands reached 190.800 tonnes a 9% increase from last year. Iceland is the largest contributor to the growth with a catch of 42.120 tonnes so far in 2021 (+33% YoY)

In October the Norwegian catches were 3.540 tonnes wfe which is 41% lower than for the same period in 2020. With about 12.600 tonnes more left on the quota compared to the same period last year it is apparent that the vessels aim to use the possibility to transfer up to 15% of the quota to 2022. According to the directorate of fisheries, including week 48 22% remains of the Norwegian haddock quota for 2021.

The most important export market for Norwegian frozen haddock is still China, which has increased its export by 36% from 2020. From January-October 2021 there was exported 17 790 tonnes of frozen whole haddock to China. For fresh haddock, which is exported to the EU and UK, the export amounted to 14.530 tonnes in January-October a decrease of 6% compared to the same period in 2020. The exports to the UK has increased by 92% from last year. This is most likely due to exports being sent directly to the UK instead of through transit hubs in the EU.

This is an extraction from the Monthly Groundfish Report. Want to be updated on the latest news within the groundfish industry? Subscribe to our monthly report today. 

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