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FISH FARMING - PROCESSING AND MARKETS

Farmed seafood is just over 1% of the value of seafood exports from Iceland. Exports are based on sales of Atlantic salmon, arctic charr and Atlantic cod products but there is also export of halibut fry for further farming.

In 2005, about 1,000 tonnes of salmon products were exported, 400 tonnes of charr and 400 tonnes of other species, chiefly cod.

Atlantic salmon eggs are available from Iceland all year round for the world market. The eggs have been obtained by selective breeding of the stock and are in great demand for aquaculture in Ireland and South America. Exports of halibut fry is also increasing.

Salmon and trout is exported fresh or frozen and either whole (gutted) or as fillets. A considerable quantity of smoked salmon fillets is also exported. Modern transport and logistics make it possible to export fresh whole fish and fresh fillets by air from Iceland to all the major fresh fish markets. The customers are the retail sector and food service operators in Europe and North America who appreciate a steady supply of good quality fresh fish.

Fresh fillet processing
After gutting and washing the fish is graded for size and packed with ice in insulated boxes. Fillets are packed in a similar way for transport by air.

Markets
Markets for farmed fish from Iceland are in Europe and the United States. Fresh whole salmon and fresh fillets are sold equally to both markets. Frozen fillets are sold primarily to Europe while smoked salmon is sold mainly to the United States. In 2005, 80% of farmed fish exports went to Europe and 20% to the US (based on export value).

Latest update August 2006