After a welcome rise in farmed Atlantic salmon prices out of Norway earlier in the week, the market has soured as new lockdown restrictions across Europe drag down demand.
Sources in Norway and in European markets told IntraFish the market has taken a double hit by a large supply, which was circulating even prior to the new tighter lockdowns.
One overseas buyer said prices as-is on Friday were too high given the product availability, as well as the uncertainty about COVID.
On the sell-side, exporters and farmers bemoaned the market.
"HORECA is dead again," one exporter told IntraFish, referring to the impact the closures are sure to have on the foodservice segment.
One salmon farmer, commenting on the flagging demand, called it "one of the slowest Fridays I've seen."
On average, the following prices were reported to IntraFish:
- 3 – 4 kg: 41–42 NOK/kg
- 4 – 5 kg: – 43–44 NOK/kg
- 5 – 6 kg: 44–46 NOK/kg
- 6 kg +: 50 NOK/kg (higher for air-freighted fish, particularly to China)
