Storms, seasonal factors lift Norway farmed salmon prices

Norwegian farmed salmon prices for next week are expected to end Friday trading higher than a week ago after stormy weather and pre-Christmas buying lifted numbers.

One exporter had little to report but said it seems that the prices are stable or slightly higher than last week.

"We haven't done anything concrete or acted yet, it will probably take some time with us today," he said.

The exporter said it will be interesting to see whether the reason why prices remain stable or rise slightly is due to an increase in demand - or the weather.

A producer wasn't able confirm any sales, but expects prices have gone up.

A second exporter spoke of rising prices, putting salmon in a NOK 79 (€6.80/$7.40) to NOK 82 (€7/$7.70) range across the main industrial sizes.

"It is NOK 3 (€0.26/$0.28) to NOK 4 (€0.34/$0.37)up from last week," he said.

A third exporter said prices are going up quite a bit.

"A lot is due to storms this week, but also a little pre-Christmas upswing," he said.

In Norway storms effect salmon prices in different ways.

Farmers may hold back on harvesting fish when there is bad weather, while road closures make it harder to transport fish particularly near the coast where roads are of poorer quality.

The exporter said he thinks prices may be rising too much now and could fall slightly again next week.

At the same time freezing fish becomes less interesting at these price levels, the third exporter said.

A fourth exporter reported prices of NOK 78 (€6.70/$7.30) to NOK 80 (€6.80/$7.50) for salmon in sizes weighing 3 to 6 kg.

Meantime, producers in northern Norway put prices for the main industrial sizes at NOK 76 (€6.50/$7.10) to NOK 78 (€6.70/$7.30) per kg with fish weighing over 6 kilos at NOK 82 (€7/$7.70)per kg.