Bakkafrost Scotland Q2 harvest up by 4,100 tonnes

Bakkafrost Scotland today reported a much improved second quarter harvest for this year. The operation produced 11,400 tonnes against 7,300 tonnes for the same April to June period last year. 

The development reflects the continuing improvement at its Scottish division which is now getting on top of earlier biological problems.

Bakkafrost said in its Q1 report a few weeks ago the biology in Scotland had been good although jellyfish remained a problem at one location.

The Faroe Islands Q2 harvest was 10,200 tonnes against 8,700 tonnes last year, but the figure would have been quite a bit higher had it not been for a general workers’ strike across the islands during the period.

There was, more or less, no seafood processing taking place in the Faroes for up to a month. Truck drivers were also involved in the strike, which affected public services, transport and construction among other sectors – but not salmon farming.

The company’s Faroese operations were also affected by an infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) outbreak at the end of May.

ISA was discovered following tests at its A-19 Vágur farm site which contained a million fish with an average weight of 2.6 kg.

Bakkafrost said at the time that strict measures have been implemented to contain the virus and prevent further spread.

“The two affected pens will be harvested out immediately and the full site will be harvested out within two months, in line with Faroese regulation,” it added.

Bakkafrost Q2 feed sales remained largely unchanged at 32,900 tonnes.

The full Q2 2024 report will be released on 26 August.