Which producer has overtaken Atlantic Sapphire to become the largest land-based farmer of Atlantic salmon in the world?
Land-based salmon farming pioneer Salmon Evolution has reported an all-time high in biomass and record harvest volumes for the fourth quarter 2023.
The company achieved a standing biomass of over 2,200 tons (live weight) and a net biomass production of 1,439 tons (live weight) in the quarter, marking a significant milestone in its operations, and overtaking Florida-based Atlantic Sapphire as the world’s biggest producer of land-based Atlantic salmon.
For the full year, Salmon Evolution reported production of 1,874 metric tons.
Is land-based salmon farming set for a breakthrough in 2024?
Former front-runner Atlantic Sapphire, produced around 870 metric tons in the first half of the year, with a further 700 tons forecast for the second half of the year bringing their total harvest to less than 1,600 tons.
Trond Håkon Schaug-Pettersen, CEO of Salmon Evolution, commented on the outlook for 2024: “The market backdrop going into 2024 is highly attractive with record high salmon prices expected. Salmon Evolution is well positioned to capitalize on this, backed by a significant increase in harvest volumes over the coming quarters.”
Salmon Evolution’s facility at Indre Harøy has shown impressive biological performance with strong appetite indicators and low mortality rates among the salmon, according to the company.
This success translated into a record harvest of 1,104 tonnes (head-on gutted) in Q4, with 90% of the harvest classified as ‘superior’ quality and a tight weight concentration.
Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2024, Salmon Evolution anticipates a harvest volume in the range of 800-1,000 tonnes (head-on gutted). The company expects a substantial increase in harvest volumes from the second quarter onwards, following a fully stocked farm at Indre Harøy.
Salmon Evolution’s primary facility at Indre Harøy on the Norwegian west coast is fully operational with an annual capacity of 7,900 tons HOG. When fully developed, this facility is expected to produce 31,500 tons HOG annually.
Additionally, the company is expanding internationally, with a joint venture in South Korea for a 16,800 tons HOG capacity facility and plans for establishing operations in North America.
