SEAFOOD.COM NEWS [seafoodnews.com] July 9, 2010 - The Norwegian Seafood Export Council reports that seafood exports from Norway continue to set records this year. In the first half-year of 2010 exports totalled NOK 24 billion, ($377 million), marking the highest export value ever recorded for a first half-year period. Terje E. Martinussen, Managing Director at the Norwegian Seafood Export Council said 'A strong increase in exports of Norwegian Salmon, Norwegian Fjord Trout and haddock has contributed to Norwegian seafood exports achieving the highest growth ever recorded. This positions the seafood industry among the fastest growing sectors in Norway.' For the month of June alone, exports totalled NOK 4.3 billion. This is an increase of NOK 913 million or 27% compared to the same month last year. In the first half-year of 2010, the value of Norwegian Salmon exports totalled NOK 13.9 billion, up by NOK 3.2 billion or 31% compared to the same period last year. In June alone, the value of exports of Norwegian Salmon increased by NOK 792 million or 39%. In the first half-year of 2010, the average price for whole fresh Norwegian Salmon was NOK 36.15 ($5.68 per kg) up from NOK 31.70 ($4.98) in the same period last year. In June, the average price stood at NOK 38.52. Exports of Norwegian Salmon products in the first half-year period totalled 279,000 tonnes, compared to 255,000 tonnes in the same period last year. The biggest importers of Norwegian Salmon are France and Poland. 'Farming of Norwegian Salmon and measures to combat salmon lice have received much media attention in Norway in 2010,' comments Christian Chramer, director of information with the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. 'In the international media, with the exception of a French TV documentary, these issues have attracted very little attention outside Norway. We take the criticisms that have been made extremely seriously, but to date there has been no negative impact on buying patterns or preference for Norwegian Salmon.' In the same period, the value of exports of Norwegian Fjord Trout showed a decline of NOK 214 million to a total of NOK 736 million. The volume of exports was down from 31,000 tonnes to 19,000 tonnes. The biggest importers of Norwegian Fjord Trout were Russia and China.