The production of Atlantic salmon has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Sales of salmon increased by 175,000 tonnes from 2011 to 2012.
The profitability of salmon production varies greatly and is mainly determined by the variation in the price achieved.
Price, and hence profitability, does not seem to be strongly influenced by the volume sold or increases in volume sold per year, but more to vary cyclically.
The last 20 years have been the best years in 1994, 2000, 2006 and 2010, while the poorest have been 1996, 2002, 2008 and last year - 2012.
The operating margin in 2012 is the lowest measured since 2003, but based on prices in 2013, it is expected that this year will provide a significantly higher profitability.
