Lice treatment investments boost resilience at Måsøval ahead of key Q4.
Måsøval increased biomass in the water in the third quarter while scaling back harvesting, positioning the company to benefit from an anticipated improvement in salmon prices in the fourth quarter.
The group harvested 6,020 GWT in the period, generating revenues of NOK 580 million ($58 million). It expects to harvest 7,800 GWT in the fourth quarter of 2024 and is guiding for a total harvest of 27,600 GWT in 2025, up from 25,000 GWT in 2024.
The company said elevated sea temperatures and high sea lice pressure affected operations in the quarter, but that it exited the period with more biomass than it entered. Following a high harvest volume in the second quarter, Måsøval deliberately reduced harvest activity in the third quarter in order to carry more biomass into the final quarter of the year, when prices are expected to be higher.
Måsøval highlighted investments in expanded treatment capacity and a reduction in mortality per treatment as key operational improvements. The share of superior quality fish increased to 87 percent in the third quarter, up from 78 percent in the second quarter and 84 percent in the same period last year.
Management described the market outlook as positive, with the industry moving out of a period of strong supply growth and only limited volume growth expected in the fourth quarter. With a high share of spot sales, Måsøval said it is well placed to capture value from a potential increase in prices.
Chief executive Helge Kvalvik and chief financial officer Anders Hagestande presented the results in Oslo on Tuesday. The presentation and full report have been published alongside the stock exchange notice.
