Additional information
  • European Seafood Exposition 2013 in Brussels.
    Iceland, March 8, 2013.

    The European Seafood Exposition in Brussels will be held April 23rd - 25th this year.  Iceland Seafood International will participate in the Exposition as usually.  Our stand has the same location as previous years in hall 6, stand number 1153.  All our subsidiaries will be represented at our stand and we welcome all our current and potential business partners to our
    stand.      We look forward seeing you in Brussels.
  • Barraclough smoking fish
    UK, February 14th, 2013

    Last November, a smoking unit was installed at Barraclough, ISI’s subsidiary in Bradford. Successful trials have been run and the product has been benchmarked against the rest of the frozen market, it was rated a significant improvement to what is currently available and the unit went into full production in February 2013.

    “We wanted to bring back smoking to the UK.  There are a number of products produced in China but our experience has been of inconsistent product. Smoked Haddock is a fantastic product and we want our customers to receive the best quality and value we can achieve, it is a craft and a carefully controlled process. We now have a product we and our customers can be really proud of ”, says Allen Townsend, Managing Director of Iceland Seafood in UK.

  • Strong growth in Iceland.
    Iceland, January 25th, 2013

    Iceland Seafood in Iceland exported seafood of value over 180 million Euros in 2012, a 12% increase from previous year.  There was a considerable increase in FAS products as well as dried and fresh fish products.   The sales team in Iceland has been strengthened during 2012 in order to increase focus and productivity.  

  • Havelok Limited in operation.

    UK, January 21st, 2013

    Havelok, ISI’s joint venture in Grimsby started operation in the beginning of January 2013.  “Our aim is to give our customers the opportunity to be supplied with top quality seafood from a company dedicated to quality and customer service” says Danny Burton Managing Director. Danny continues; “Our relationship with ISI is unique within the UK and
    we are looking to expand our sales of top quality single frozen fish into the market”.   

  • Market Day 2013 focused on marketing seafood from Iceland
    Iceland, January 18th, 2013

    The Iceland Seafood International's annual Market Day was held on Wednesday, 16 January at the Iðnó Theatre in Reykjavík. Participation in the meeting was excellent with over 180 people attended the meeting.


    Bjarni Benediktsson, Managing Director of Iceland Seafood in Iceland directed the meeting. 

    Helgi Anton Eiríksson, CEO of Iceland Seafood International gave a presentation on the world supply of fish and Iceland’s position today:  Demand for pelagic species is good.  Supplies of cod from the North Atlantic will increase considerably this year.  At the same time the economic situation of the main cod markets is difficult.  Our challenge is therefore to increase the market share of cod again.  We need to emphasize on marketing and create a good image of Icelandic cod and Icelandic seafood in general.

    Hlynur Ársælsson, Sales Director at Iceland Seafood in Iceland gave a presentation on the European market for frozen products:  Competition from China has been strong for a number of years.  Increasing labor and fuel costs along with increased concerns about environmental issues are likely to change that scenario.  The production of Atlantic species in China will therefore most likely shift towards East Europe.

    Jón Georg Aðalsteinsson, Chairman of Ice-Co GmbH in Switzerland gave a presentation on how can we become European champions: Lessons learned from 20 years of marketing Icelandic fish in Switzerland. That market is one of the most demanding markets in Europe on reliability and service as well as environmental issues and is, in Jón's opinion, 3-5 years ahead other markets and thus providing an ideal test market.

    Ricardo Alves, Director of Riberalves in Portugal gave a presentation on Cod in Portugal:  Portugal is the largest market for cod in the world and Riberalves is a market leader in that market. Riberalves is a pioneer in desalted and frozen pre-packed cod where they mainly use Icelandic cod. They highly appreciate the quality of Icelandic cod which represents a good share of their cod supplies.
     
    Magnús Gústafsson, CEO of Atlantika Inc. in USA gave a presentation on Sales of cod and haddock in the U.S:  Supply from Russia and Norway in 2013.  Magnús highlighted the strong condition of the cod stock in the Barents Sea where spawning stock is at record high at the moment and fishing quotas have been increased by 33% in 2013.  

    The presentations were followed by panel discussions about marketing of Icelandic seafood, controlled by Þórhallur Gunnarsson a journalist and television presenter. 

    The panel consisted of three of the presenters, Helgi Anton Eiríksson, Jón Georg Aðalsteinsson and Magnús Gústafsson as well as Björgólfur Jóhannson, CEO of Icelandair and Businessperson of the year 2012 in Iceland.
    There were active discussions with participation from the audience.  The discussions highlighted the necessity of increased marketing and promotional effort of the image of Iceland and Icelandic origin.  Long term strategy for the seafood sector is needed.  

    The market day was concluded by a live broadcast of a handball match between Iceland and Denmark in the World Cup in Spain.

  • Export and export production of marine products 2011
    Iceland, May 21st, 2012
    In 2011 the export production of marine products amounted to ISK 256 billion and increased in value by 7.8% from previous year, 10.3% at constant prices. Export of marine products amounted to 672 thousand tonnes and the total value amounted to ISK 252 billions. The export increased in quantity by 6.4%, and in value by 14.1%. Frozen products generated 57% of the value of exported marine products, but the highest export revenues were from whole frozen mackerel. The European Economic Area is the most important market area for Icelandic marine products and in 2011 the export value for this category of products to EEA amounted to ISK 181 billion or 72% of the export value.
    Source: Iceland Statistics
  • Brussels Exhibition 20th Anniversary
    Iceland, May 3rd, 2012
    This year’s exhibition, held 23-26 April 2012, was a great success for Iceland Seafood International. We had constant traffic to our booth of both new and present customers and would like to thank our visitors for their interest in our company, Iceland Seafood International. With about 25.000 visitors from all over the world the exhibition has proved to be an important event to participate in for companies working within the seafood sector from all over the globe. This year about 30 Icelandic companies participated during the 20th anniversary of the show.

    Helgi Anton Eiriksson CEO of Iceland Seafood International with 
    Olafur Ragnar Grimsson the president of Iceland at the Brussels Exhibition 2012.

  • European Seafood Exposition 2012
    Iceland, April 20,  2012
    Iceland Seafood International will participate in the European Seafood Exposition 2012. This years exhibition marks the 20th edition of the event growing throughout the years to become the most important global event for the seafood industry. 
    We would like to welcome guests to hall 6, stand 1153. 
  • Export and export production of marine products 2010
    Iceland, March 15, 2012
    In 2010 the export production of marine products amounted to ISK 220 billion and increased in value by 10% from previous year, 6% at constant prices. Export of marine products amounted to 632 thousand tonnes and the total value amounted to ISK 220.5 billions. The export decreased in quantity by 5.5%, but increased in value by 5.7%. Frozen products generated more than half of the value of exported marine products, but the highest export revenues were from uncured salted cod. The European Economic Area is the most important market area for Icelandic marine products and in 2010 the export value for this category of products to EEA amounted to ISK 164 billion or 73% of the export value.
    Source: Statistics Iceland
  • Market Day a great success.
    Iceland, January 23, 2012
    This year’s Market Day was held last Wednesday, 18th of January, and turned out to be a great success for all involved. 
    In the Reykjavík headquarters of Iceland Seafood International our employees, along with those of our affiliate companies gathered for internal talks and meetings with producers and suppliers.  After an intense morning the participants met for a hearty lunch served from the pots and pans of master chef Brynjar Eymundsson. The meal, consisting mainly of Icelandic seafood, of course, was as nutritious as it was pleasing to the eyes and palate.

    By Reykjavík´s pond the beautiful theatre Iðnó served as the elegant setting for the official programme of the Market Day. With Helgi Anton Eiríksson, ISI´s CEO, leading the discussions, a number of enthusiastic attendants listened to speeches addressing current topics regarding ISI, its markets and the seafood industry in general.

    The topics and speakers were as follows (click on topic to download or click on link to view presentation - please note some presentations are in Icelandic):

    Guðmundur Jónasson, Director of Fresh Fish Sales, Tros / ISI.

    Oksana Diaguileva, Head of Importing, Russian Fish.

    Magnús B. Jónsson, Managing Director, Iceland Seafood SL, Spain.

    Friðleifur Friðleifsson, Director of Frozen Seafood Sales, ISI. 

    Jóhannes Pálsson, Director of Production, Norway Seafood AS.

    After a coffee break, the speeches of the specialists were followed by a lively debate between Icelandic politicians, representing the country´s four largest political parties, on the subject of Iceland´s future fishery policies and related issues. Þórhallur Gunnarsson, journalist and television presenter, led the panel consisting of Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson, Ólína Þorvarðardóttir, Björn Valur Gíslason and Bjarni Benediktsson.  

    To conclude an otherwise exciting programme, participants shifted gears over light refreshments and watched a live broadcast from the match-up between the national teams of Iceland and Norway in the Men´s Handball European Cup. The game provided for more acceleration than what can be considered healthy, even for the most stoic of nerves and hearts re-enforced by the omega-3 intake at lunchtime, but ended in a last minute win for the Icelandic side.  Thus, everyone could leave Iðnó with a strengthened belief in the future of both the Icelandic handball and the seafood industry. 
    Iceland Seafood International wishes to thank all of the participants for partaking in the Market Day. We hope to see everyone again next time, along with some new faces as always.  
  • CEO talks at Fishing Industry Conference
    Iceland, January 11, 2012
    The weekly newspaper Fiskifréttir reported on Helgi Anton Eiríksson´s talk during the Fishing Industry Conference this autumn. Eiríksson, Iceland Seafood International´s CEO encouraged Icelandic policy makers and leaders in the fishing industry to set aside their differences about management of the fisheries and focus more of their attention on product development, the common marketing of Icelandic seafood and its image abroad. Drawing on an analogy with U.S.A.´s automobile industry losing its edge to competition from Asia, he pointed out that producers have to listen to their consumers wishes and tend to the quality of their products. In spite of Iceland´s current strength on the global market there is no insurance for continued success without the extra effort in marketing and the seizing of new opportunities. Eiríksson made a comparison between the Norwegian and the Alaskan systems, where a certain share of the fishing industries export revenues is redistributed for development and marketing work, ultimately benefitting all of the areas´ producers.  A similar approach might benefit the Icelandic industries, Eiríksson suggested.  With hardening competition and emerging competitors from China and Eastern Europe producing cheaper products, the quality of Icelandic products, sustainability and experience should be emphasised. Returning to the comparison with the automobile industry he pointed out that Iceland might look to the German companies who kept their standards whilst constantly reinventing themselves. 

  • Sales manager on Icelandic television
    Iceland, January 4, 2012
    Friðleifur Friðleifsson, our director of frozen seafood sales was interviewed by Einar K. Guðfinnsson, former Minister of Fisheries, for the television station ÍNN. They talked about a broad range of topics concerning the Icelandic seafood industry – fishing of the mackerel stock, marketing and environmental policies.  Amongst other issues Friðleifsson addressed the increase in Iceland’s Mackerel fishing and the related marketing efforts abroad related thereto. Iceland´s recent share in frozen Mackerel sales has risen enormously in the past years and Friðleifsson predicted an increase from 53 thousand tons in 2010 to approximately 100 thousand tons in 2011. He talked about the new markets for Icelandic seafood products, in Russia and elsewhere in Eastern Europe, with an emphasis on marine fish, like mackerel, capelin and herring. Friðleifsson also talked about new trends in the Southern European markets, most notably in Spain, where consumer trends are leading to an increasing demand in lightly salted fish rather than the traditional klipfish. The interview also touches upon the effects of the Iceland Responsible Fisheries programme, which certifies the sustainable use of marine resources. 
    To watch the full interview follow the link below (please note that the interview is in icelandic);
  • Imported raw material for fish processing 2010
    Iceland, October 20, 2011
    The total amount of imported raw material for fish processing in the year 2010
    was 80,873 tonnes, an increase of 37 thousand tonnes or 84% from the year
    2009. The value of this import was ISK 8.2 billion which is ISK 2 billion higher
    than the previous year at current prices. Import of cod, saith, catfish, spotted
    catfish, herring and Norwegian spring–spawning herring decreased but import
    of capelin, capelin roe, blue whiting, mackerel and shrimp increased between
    2009 and 2010.

    Source: Statistics Iceland
  • Responsible Fisheries at CONXEMAR 2011
    Iceland, October 6, 2011
    On Tuesday (4th October) the Icelandic Responsible Fisheries held a meeting/workshop during the Conxemar Exhibition in Vigo, Spain. Jon Bjarnason the Icelandic Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture held the first speech, followed by Gudny Karadottir the Marketing Manager of Iceland Responsible Fisheries, she explained both the use and meaning of the Icelandic Responsible Fisheries logo. Professor Sigurjon Arason Chief Engineer at the Icelandic Food and Biotech R&D (Matis) talked about the importance of a continuous development of salt fish products. This is essential to achieving better results in meeting the customer´s expectations on the major markets. At the end of the meeting there was a panel discussion about how to increase sales of Icelandic salt fish products in the Spanish market. The meeting was very well attended and according to the organizers exceeded their expectations.


  • ICELAND SEAFOOD Spain participates in the CONXEMAR Exhibition
    Iceland, October 1, 2011
    Iceland Seafood Spain participates in the thirteenth International Frozen Seafood Products Exhibition, Conxemar. The exhibition takes place in Vigo, Spain during 4th, 5th, and 6th of October 2011. Iceland Seafood will be present at stand number I7 in the I-zone of the new hall. We would like to welcome all our business partners, clients, suppliers or others interested in our company to stand I7 to meet us. During the exhibition the company will exhibit its main products both frozen and salted as well as a range of new products launching this year. Iceland Seafood Spain has participated in the exhibition each year only missing out the first year it was held. This year´s exhibition is completely booked (31.500 gross square meters) with 520 participants from 39 countries worldwide. The exhibition had to extend its surface area to satisfy demand. 
    In Conxemar 2011, Spain is the main exhibiting country (356 companies), followed by Argentina, China, USA, Netherlands and Portugal. The exhibition will hold a section dedicated to processing machinery (3.800 gross square meters) on the exhibiting floor, in which manufacturers will show the latest innovations for the sector. The Exhibition will be open from 10:00-18:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 10:00-16:00 on Thursday. Welcome to stand 17 in the I-zone.

  • Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition
    Iceland, September 15, 2011
    Iceland Seafood International will participate in the Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition 2011. We would like to welcome guests to our stand D9.
  • Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition 2011
    Iceland, September 6, 2011
    The 10th Icelandic Fisheries Exhibition will be held from the 22-24 September 2011.
    This long running event which started in 1984, has grown to become the largest commercial fishing exhibition in the north and is held every three years. The timing of the event is a direct response to the wishes of exhibitors as it ensures they have new products on display every time. The exhibition will be held at Smarinn, Kopavogur which is just 10 minutes from Reykjavik.

    Source: Icefish
  • Catch, value and processing of catch 2010
    Iceland, August 30, 2011.

    The total catch of Icelandic fishing vessels in 2010 was 1,063 thousand tonnes which is 66 thousand tonnes less than in 2009. The value of the catch amounted to 133 billion ISK and increased by 15.2% from previous year, 11% increase at constant prices. The largest part of the catch was processed in the eastern part of the country, mainly pelagic fish. The highest regional share of the demersal catch, almost quarter of the quantity, was processed in the capital area, mainly in Reykjavík. The main processing method for cod was freezing in land-based factories, as was for haddock.

    Source: Statistics Iceland
  • Mackerel Season
    Iceland, July 20, 2011.

    „It’s a fast growing market and I believe the Icelandic production is an addition to the market. We add to the supply rather than take any market share from others. The cake just gets bigger“, says Fridleifur Fridleifsson the director of frozen seafood sales, Iceland Seafood.
      
    These past years the changing heat of the ocean have pushed the mackerel into Icelandic waters in search of feed. The mackerel appears in the middle of June, staying until early September. When entering the Icelandic waters it´s fat percentage is approx.10% but by the end of August shortly before leaving, the percentage is up to or above 25%. For each kg the mackerel gains it will have to eat 6 kg of feed. 
    The fleet starts catching when the mackerel appears and will produce headed and gutted (H/G) mackerel during the feeding season and whole round (W/R) when possible. According to Fridleifur the biggest challenge this year will be to market the whole round (W/R) mackerel.

    The mackerel quota this year was increased by 25 thousand tons from last year. From 130 thousand tons 2010 to 155 thousand tons in 2011. The quota 2011 is split between the pelagic fleet 112 thousand tons, conventional freezer trawlers 33 thousand tons and approx. 9 thousand tons is split between conventional fresh trawlers and small boats.

    In 2009 the production was 10 thousand tons, in 2010 the production was 55 thousand tons and this year’s production is expected to be 110-120 thousand tons. Last year about 2/3 of the production was exported to Russia and 1/3 to South-East Asia and North Africa. This year’s production differs from last year because now freezer trawlers will be producing whole round (W/R) mackerel. Last season they were mainly producing headed and gutted (H/G) mackerel. 

    According to Fridleifur - probably 30 thousand tons of whole round (W/R) mackerel will be produced this year. Therefore we should see an increase in the country’s we export to. This season we estimate that 50% of the total production will go to Russia. We will monitor the market carefully, the vast growth in production and the „new“ product whole round (W/R) will also set our focus on countries like  Turkey, Israel, China, Japan and Thailand which buy the whole round (W/R) mackerel not the headed and gutted (H/G) mackerel.

    The price of mackerel is higher than last year partially explained by a 500 thousand ton reduction both in the blue whiting quota and in the norwegian-icelandic herring quota. 
    In general both prices and demand is strong for this season of mackerel. We have a lot of inquiries for mackerel, mackerel and tuna seems to be the two species with the greatest worldwide demand. From Iceland there is a duty of 20% on both whole round (W/R) mackerel and headed and gutted (H/G) mackerel imported to Europe - only fillets are duty free so it will be interesting to see the affect this will have on the market. 

    Source: (Fridleifur Fridleifsson, Director of frozen seafood sales, Iceland Seafood.)  

  • Haddock, Saithe and Golden Redfish in Iceland enter certification process
    Iceland, June 22, 2011.

    FAO-ISO based certification to verify responsible fisheries management and good treatment of marine resources. Encouraged by the successful outcome and market recognition of certified Icelandic cod, three more Icelandic fisheries have now made application to the Icelandic Responsible Fisheries certification programme. This application is an important step for the seafood industry in Iceland, to seek further verification of sustainable use of the marine resources in Icelandic waters and thus strengthen the competitiveness of seafood products from Iceland.

    Important step for the industry
    All fisheries occur within the Icelandic 200 mile EEZ and are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Fisheries for Iceland. Each application is supported by the interests of all Icelandic fishers and processors. If successful, applicants will receive one certificate for each fishery which will be available to all Icelandic fishing companies, gears and regions.
    "Iceland recognizes the importance of responsible fisheries management. Seafood is our heritage, our livelihood and our future. Utilizing Iceland´s rich marine resources in an efficient and responsible manner that ensures our future is at the very heart of our management policy. Now, through the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Programme, we have the mechanism to demonstrate this in a manner recognized by our valuable supply chain partners and global stakeholders in seafood", states Gunnar Tómasson, chair of the Iceland Responsible Fisheries Foundation and Manager of production and marketing at Thorbjorninn in Grindavik.

    Requirements and international standards
    The IRF certification programme complies with the strictest international standards. It is based on the articles and minimum substantive criteria described in the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and FAO Guidelines for the Eco-labelling of Fish and Fishery Products. Certification by the Programme confirmes responsible fisheries management and good treatment of marine resources. All three fisheries that now enter the certification process will be subjected to the same rigor of ISO 65 based assessment procedures as were carried out during the cod certification. Global Trust will appoint an expert, competent assessment team to undertake the assessment and progress up-dates will be made available on www.responsiblefisheries.is.

    The requirements for the certification of a fishery include: 

    Adoption and implementation of a structured fisheries management system. The objective is to limit the total annual catch (TAC) from the fish stocks so that catches confirm to levels permitted by the relevant authorities.

    Fish stock shall not be overfished and this shall be verified through scientific research and assessment by international experts.

    Implementation of an effective legal and administrative framework for the fishery, with compliance ensured through effective mechanisms for monitoring, surveillance, control and enforcement.

    Effects of the fishery on the ecosystem are limited by the application of a specified approach.

    Source: Iceland Responsible Fisheries (www.responsiblefisheries.is)
  • Iceland: Increase in seafood exports in 2010
    Iceland, June 7, 2011.
    The total export value of seafood products in 2010 was ISK 220 billion (Eur 1.3 billion). This was an     increase of 10% from the year before. Measured at a fixed rate of ISK the increase in value is 5,7 % and a decrease in quantity of 5,5 %. In 2010 a total of 632 thousand metric tons were exported compared with 669 thousand metric tons in 2009.  The share of frozen products is 55% of the total export value.

     (Statistics Iceland)
  • Iceland: Raw material for fish meal production in 2010
    Iceland, March 7, 2011.
    In 2010 Icelandic fish meal factories processed 409,600 metric tons of raw material.  This was 16 percent less than in 2009. 
    read more...
  • Iceland: Exports of frozen capelin roe in 2010
    Iceland, March 4, 2011.
    In 2010 Iceland exported a total of 10,284 metric tons of frozen capelin roes. The total export value was ISK 6581 million (Eur 41.0 million, converted at the current rate of exchange).
    read more...
  • Iceland: Fishing fleet at the end of 2010
    Iceland, February 28, 2011.
    At the end of 2010 the total number of fishing vessels was 1,625.  The number had increased by 43 vessels since the end of 2009 and all of this is accounted for by an increase in the number of small, undecked fishing boats.
    read more...
  • Iceland: Distribution of capelin quota
    Iceland, February 23, 2011. 
    As we reported at the time, capelin quota for the 2010-2011 fishing year has recently been increased to 390,000 metric tons.  The Ministry of Fisheries announced yesterday that 317,000 tons of this will be allocated to Icelandic vessels.   The balance of 73,000 tons will go to Faroese and Norwegian vessels in accordance with an existing agreement with the Icelandic government.  (skip.is).
  • Iceland: Further increase in capelin quota
    Iceland, February 17, 2011.
    This has been a good week for the capelin operators.  On Tuesday night a major strike in the fishmeal factories was called off and on Wednesday  (yesterday), the Marine Research Institute made known its recommendation for an increase of 65,000 tons in the capelin quota.   After the increase, the capelin quota for the fishing year 2010-2011 is 390,000 metric tons.  (Fiskifrettir).
  • Iceland: Strike action in fishmeal plants called off
    Iceland, February 16, 2011.
    Strike in fishmeal plants that was to have started at 7:30 pm yesterday has been called off.  A union spokesman said yesterday that one of the reasons was that workers in two fishmeals plants, Thorshoefn in the NW and Helguvik in the SW, were not taking part.  The capelin season is now in full swing, with meal and oil production in good progress, and capelin with roes expected to be suitable for freezing any day now.  A strike action at this particular time would have had a catastrophic effect on the capelin operators.  (mbl.is).   
  • Iceland: Slight increase in seafood exports
    The Icelandic Bureau of Statistics has just published provisional figures for national exports and imports in 2010. Spotlight on marine exports:

    >> Marine exports in 2010: ISK 220.4 bill. (EUR 1365.0 mill.).
    >> Marine exports in 2009: ISK 208.6 bill. (EUR 1211.6 mill.).

    read more...
  • Iceland: Strike in fishmeal plants has been rearranged
    Iceland, February 8, 2011
    Workers in all of Iceland´s fishmeal plants except one voted yesterday in favour of a strike to start after seven
    days.   The strike action will presumably last until settlement has been reached and comes when the short capelin season is in full swing.  Over the next few days an effort will be made to reach settlement before the
    strike commences.  (Icelandic media).
  • Iceland: Strike in fishmeal plants deemed illegal
    Iceland, February 4, 2011
    The stike in fishmeal plants in the East of Iceland and in the Westman Islands that was to start on February 7th (see our report of January 27th) has now been deemed illegal by the Court for Industrial Disputes.  The reason:  the dispute had not been formally dealt with by the the official mediator.  The union concerned has now asked the mediator to step in.  It now seems likely that evenual strike action will be considerably delayed.  (mbl.is).
  • Iceland: New legislation for fisheries management
    Iceland, February 1, 2011
    The Minister of Fisheries, Jon Bjarnason, and his staff are drafting a new legislation for fisheries management and this will be submitted for parliamentary debate before the end of February.  Nothing much has been revealed about the changes to be expected but the minister has said that the interests of the local communities will be very much on his mind. We shall keep you informed.  (skip.is).
  • Iceland: Strike in the fish meal industry
    Iceland, January 27, 2011
    Workers in fish meal and fish oil factories in East Iceland and in the Westman Islands have decided to go on a three-day strike on February 7th.  Another three-day strike will begin on February 14th and, in the absence of an agreement, an indefinite strike will start on February 21st.  (skip.is).  
  • Market Day scores a full house
    Iceland, January 26, 2011.
    The scenic pond in down-town Reykjavik was the backdrop for The Iceland Seafood’s Markets Meeting last Thursday. Producers and delegates from ISI world affiliates gathered at the old Idno Theatre Restaurant in down-town Reykjavik.
    read more...
  • Iceland: Good news for the capelin operators
    Iceland, January 25, 2011
    As we reported at the time the initial capelin quota for the 2010/2011 season was 200,000 metric tons.  On the basis of recent research the Marine Research Institute has now recommended that the quota be increased to
    325,000 tons.  The share of Icelandic vessels in the total quota is estimated at 237,000 tons.  According to media reports, this is the highest capelin quota since 1997.  
  • Iceland: Brisk trade in mackerel products in 2010
    Iceland, January 21, 2011
    In 2010 Iceland exported mackerel products to 27 countries.  The total export value was ISK 7.9 billion (Eur 49.9 million based on the current rate of exchange).  Iceland´s total catch of mackerel in 2010 was 122,000 metric...
    read more...
  • Increase in landed value in 2010
    Iceland, January 16, 2011
    In 2010, landed value of the top eight fishing operators in Iceland was ISK 61 billion (EUR 392 million).  In terms of Icelandic kronur this was 24 % more than in 2009.   
    read more...
  • Foreign vessels in Icelandic waters
    Iceland, January 14, 2011
    In 2010 the total catch by foreign vessels in Icelandic waters was 57,000 metric tons, compared to 22,000 in 2009.  This drastic change is due to the absence of capelin in 2009.
    read more...
  • Provisional export/import figures for 2010
    Iceland, January 12, 2011
    The Statistical Bureau of Iceland (Iceland Statistics) has just published provisional figures for merchandise exports and imports in 2010.  
    read more...
Useful websites: Iceland
News and other information
And more...