The results from this year's profitability studies for hatchery production and fish farming of salmon and trout have been announced.
The average operating margin increased from 6.5 per cent in 2012 to 26.4 per cent in 2013, while average profit per kg went up from $0.92 in 2012 to £7.67 in 2013.
The production of Atlantic salmon in Norway in 2013 was 1.168 million tons. This is a decrease from 2012, but the industry achieved good earnings despite this decline. This is due to record high prices for salmon and rainbow trout.
Profitability of production of salmon varied widely and was largely determined by the variation in the price achieved. The average sale price for salmon and rainbow trout increased by 44.5 and 39.1 per cent from 2012 to 2013 respectively.
Achieved average sales price for salmon in 2013 was £33.13, while the price for rainbow trout was £31.46.
The price increase has led to higher profits per kg, but not as much as one might have expected. This is due to increased production costs. Production cost per kg increased by 17.5 per cent from 2012 to 2013 and in 2013 was NOK 22.69 per kg.
