Lerøy’s Q1 harvest down, Salmon Evolution first delivery on target

In updates to the Oslo Stock Exchange, Lerøy Seafood has reported a lower salmon and trout harvest during the first quarter of 2023, while land-based fish farmer Salmon Evolution has confirmed that production of its first commercial output is on track.

Lerøy’s output of 28,600 tonnes compares with 32,100 tonnes over the same period in 2022. The figures delivered to the Oslo Stock Exchange do not include salmon from Scottish Sea Farms, which Lerøy shares with SalMar.

The SSF harvest numbers should become available when the full first quarter figures are published on 16 May.

Lerøy also owns one of Norway’s largest whitefish trawler fleets. The company caught 25,300 tonnes during the quarter, of which 8,000 tonnes consisted of cod. The catch total is slightly higher than that for the same quarter in 2022.

Meanwhile, “new boy” Salmon Evolution has also told the Oslo Stock Exchange that production ramp-up of its first commercial output at its Indre Harøy land facility in Norway is proceeding according to plan.

The company said it recorded all-time high biomass production in March with approximately 320 tonnes in a net biomass gain for the month.

The standing biomass at the end of March was almost 1,500 tonnes, which represents a doubling from 733 tonnes at the end of 2022.

It also said the batch-2 total at 31 March consisted of four sub groups with an average weight of 3.5 kg with the largest group reach 3.7 kg.

Salmon Evolution currently expects the harvesting of the second batch to start early next month, with the aim of completing the harvest by the end of June. It adds that mortality levels have remained low.

The company is also involved in a joint venture with Dongwon Industries of South Korea, where it is involved in the development, construction and operation of a land based salmon farm.

Fish at Salmon Evolution’s Indre Harøy site