Norwegian exports of seafood have set a new record in the period January to May 2010 when they increased by 16% to NOK19.9bn (EUR2.5bn), reports the Norwegian Seafood Export Council. It is the strong performance by Norwegian salmon and groundfish that has contributed to the increase in exports. Salmon exports at the end of May for the year to date went up by almost 30% to NOK11.1bn compared to the same period last year. In May alone export values increased by 26% with the average price per kilo of whole fresh salmon increasing by almost NOK5 to NOK39.91. France and Poland are the main importers of Norwegian salmon. Clipfish (salted and dried whitefish) exports are up 14% to NOK1.3bn for the year to May compared to the same period last year. This is the total figure for clipfish made with cod, tusk, ling and saithe. While exports of cod, tusk, and ling clipfish increased handsomely saithe clipfish recorded a slight decline. Salted fish exports also increased in the January to May period particularly to Portugal where they went up by almost 300% to NOK337m. However, markets in the Netherlands, Italy and France all showed less appetite for salted fish than the previous year.