Good times rolling again for salmon

The good times are finally returning to Norway’s beleaguered fish farming sector, according to new figures.

Akvafakt, the organisation which documents the country’s aquaculture production, said the standing biomass of salmon is increasing while, at the same time more fish are being exported, with September likely to set a new record.

Akvafakt says in its latest monthly report that there are currently 819,000 tonnes of salmon in the sea. The figure is 3% up on the same period last year though some way short on the all-time record of 844,000 tonnes recorded last November.

Prices too are also continuing to rise, with Statistics Norway reporting an average export figure of NOK 59.53 per kilo for week 42, up by 2.1% on week 41.

These figures will underpin the belief that unless a future wave of the Covid-19 virus forces further lockdowns, the worst looks to be over. The hospitality trade is almost back to normal in most European countries, with restrictions now at a minimum.

It also reports that feed sales for salmon rose by 5% a year ago to 236,000 tonnes, the highest figure so far.

Salmon exports are also setting new records with 156,000 tonnes going to overseas markets, a volume rise of 22%. As reported last month by the Norwegian Seafood Council, the value was up by 30% to NOK 7.8bn.

Trout farms, however, are finding life tougher with the standing biomass down by 2% to 40,000 tonnes and exports down by 8% to 8,200 tonnes. Despite this, trout prices are rising by 15% year on year.