What’s happening in aquaculture in the UK and around the world
MARINE Harvest Scotland recorded a big improvement in performance in the first quarter of this year, with 18,000 tonnes at €3.00/kg, up from 12,620 tonnes in 2016 at an average EBIT/kg of €0.68 per kg.
The total harvest volume for Marine Harvest ASA in the first quarter of the year was 84,000 tonnes, and operational EBIT was approximately €215 million, up from €112 million in the same quarter last year.
Marine Harvest, which had its best year ever in 2016, said it was proud of its accomplishments, but concerned about the biological challenges, in particular regarding sea lice.
The Oslo listed group saw revenue in 2016 rise to €3,510 million from €3,112 million in 2015. Operational EBIT was €700 million up from €347 million, mainly as a result of increased prices driven by strong demand and decline in supply.
Tonnage fell from 420,148 tonnes in 2015 to 380,621 tonnes last year. In Scotland, output decreased by 5,600 tonnes (3.7 per cent), and in Norway it dropped 56,800 tonnes (5.1 per cent), mainly related to biological challenges resulting in lower production levels and reduced survival.
In Scotland, operational EBIT for 2016 was €41.1 million compared to €17.5 million in 2015. Operational EBIT per kg was €0.91 in 2016 compared to €0.35 in 2015.
Biological challenges, especially related to sea lice and gill issues, caused increased costs and reduced survival in both 2016 and in 2015. However, increased costs and reduced harvest volume were more than offset by higher prices.
The EBIT for Scottish salmon was €117.2 million for the year compared to €15.2 million in 2015, and EBIT per kg was €2.60 in 2016 compared to €0.30 in 2015.
However, costs for the year increased by 22.9 per cent, due to biological challenges. Incident based mortality amounted to €6.5 million, mainly related to sea lice treatment losses and gill issues. Incident based mortality amounted to €8.1 million in 2015.
Marine Harvest continued to expand its freshwater facilities, with larger smolt plants, including at Inchmore in Scotland, which will produce 4.5 million smolts, and 6.5 million parr when it is completed early next year.