Mowi opens new post-smolt facility in Haukå following $57.6 million investment.
Mowi officially opened its new post-smolt facility at its freshwater site in Haukå, Norway on Tuesday, marking the completion of one of the company’s largest infrastructure projects in recent years.
The facility, which represents an investment of NOK 600 million ($57.6 million/€51.6 million), is now among the most extensive post-smolt production sites globally, according to the company. Mowi CEO Ivan Vindheim led the inauguration, describing the project as a strategically significant addition to the group’s freshwater capacity.
“This is a large and strategically very important investment for Mowi. With this facility, we will be able to produce healthy and sustainable food in an even better and more efficient way,” Vindheim said.
The new site will produce approximately 6.4 million post-smolts annually, with an average weight of 700 grams. Staffing at the Haukå site has increased from 11 to 25 employees, including two apprentices.
“As a major investment, it creates new jobs, strengthens local value creation, and contributes to a vibrant district,” said Asgeir Hasund, Director of Mowi Region West.
The facility is part of a broader capital investment programme by Mowi in post-smolt production in Norway. To date, the company has invested nearly NOK 2 billion ($192 million/€172 million) across three sites along the Norwegian coast and plans to expand with four additional facilities, potentially increasing post-smolt output by a further 20 million fish.
Øyvind Oaland, CEO of Mowi Norway, emphasised the operational rationale behind the post-smolt strategy, noting improved biological outcomes and reduced time in sea cages.
“Post-smolts are a key part of the work to improve survival, welfare and productivity in the company. Our calculations show that we can almost halve both mortality and the number of delousing treatments by using post-smolt,” Oaland said.
Vindheim also used the occasion to urge Norwegian lawmakers to consider the wider impact of proposed regulatory changes currently under debate in the Storting, the country’s parliament.
“The government’s proposal for new regulation of the aquaculture industry will significantly reduce industry production, employment, and value creation, especially in Western Norway,” he said. “I both believe and hope that the politicians understand that we as a nation cannot kick our feet under Norway’s most important regional industry.”
Mowi is one of the world’s largest producers of Atlantic salmon, with vertically integrated operations across feed, freshwater, marine farming, and processing. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and reported revenues of NOK 50.88 billion ($4.89 billion/€4.38 billion) in 2024.