Norway exported 3,952 tonnes of mackerel worth NOK 217 million (€18.7 million) in April, despite prices remaining close to record levels. Export value fell by NOK 111 million (€9.6 million), or 34 per cent, compared with April last year, while export volumes dropped by 60 per cent.
The figures were published by the Norwegian Seafood Council and reported by Norges Sildesalgslag. The United States, Ukraine and Vietnam were the largest markets for Norwegian mackerel during the month.
Lowest export volumes since 2011
Jan Eirik Johnsen, pelagic species manager at the Norwegian Seafood Council, said export volumes remain unusually low even though prices stay firm at around NOK 50 (€4.30) per kilo for whole frozen mackerel.
According to Johnsen, Norway has to go back to 2011 to find lower April export volumes than this year’s total of just under 4,000 tonnes.
Mackerel fillet prices hit a new record
Exports of mackerel fillets also fell sharply in April. Norway exported 401 tonnes, down from 1,490 tonnes in the same month last year.
At the same time, fillet prices reached a new record of NOK 102 (€8.80) per kilo. That was NOK 7 (€0.60) higher than the previous record set in February 2026.
Europe overtakes Asia
Asian countries are normally the main destination for Norwegian mackerel exports. However, Europe imported 1,550 tonnes in April, compared with 1,050 tonnes shipped to Asia.
Ukraine, Lithuania, Romania and Bulgaria accounted for the largest European volumes. Johnsen said currency developments may explain the shift, as the Norwegian krone has strengthened more against the US dollar, the South Korean won, and the Japanese yen than against the euro.