SalMar harvest down, Grieg up for Q3

SalMar, Norway’s second largest salmon farmer, has reported a sharp fall in its third quarter output. In contrast, its competitor Grieg reported an improved harvest.

The July to September harvest for SalMar was 60,300 tonnes against 78,100 tonnes a year earlier – a drop of 17,800 tonnes.

The company was hit by various issues earlier this year which are probably still impacting on output.

Lice, jellyfish and biological problems have adversely affected all of Norway’s salmon companies this year.

For SalMar, Production Farming Central Norway dropped by 10,200 tonnes to 38,200 tonnes and production in northern Norway was down from 25,700 tonnes to 18,300 tonnes.

Output at Icelandic salmon also fell – from 4,000 tonnes a year ago to 1,800 tonnes this time.

But on a brighter note, SalMar produced the first output figures from its joint offshore business, SalMar Aker Ocean, which was 2,100 tonnes against zero 12 months ago.

The full Q3 report, which should include the contribution from Scottish Sea Farms (not included in the latest figures), will be published on 18 November.

Grieg Seafood farm

Better news for Grieg

Meanwhile, Grieg Seafood announced a total third quarter harvest of 17,700 tonnes against 12,200 tonnes in Q3 last year with its Norwegian operations showing a marked improvement.

Norway Rogaland region produced 8,500 tonnes against 4,800 tonnes last year while Norway Finnmark harvested 6,000 tonnes – up from 1,300 tonnes in Q3 2023.

Production from its British Columbia, Canada, farms dropped from 6,100 tonnes 12 months ago to 3,200 tonnes this time.

Grieg’s new salmon operation in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, has yet to reach production.

The full Q3 report for Grieg will be published on 27 November.