Weighing a salmon. (Photo: Cermaq)

Mainstream plans to increase salmon sales

CHILE
Monday, May 07, 2012, 00:30 (GMT + 9)

Mainstream's Chilean subsidiary, controlled by the Norwegian group Cermaq ASA, is planning to increase by 4 per cent total sales of trout and of Atlantic and Pacific salmon during the current year.

This percentage represents about half the company's operations worldwide.

According to the business plan of the salmon company, out of the 125,000 tonnes expected to be sold in 2012, 51,000 tonnes will come from the Chilean market. In 2011, the company sold a total of 109,000 tonnes.

Salmon process. (Photo: Mainstream)

This year, Mainstream plans to sell 23,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon, representing 53 per cent more than in 2011 (15,000 tonnes), Diario Financiero reported.

With respect to the sale of Pacific salmon, the Norwegian group estimates that this year 21,000 tonnes will be traded, that is to say, 12.5 per cent less than in 2011 (24,000 tonnes).

Besides, this year the firm expects to sell 7,000 tonnes of trout, representing a decline of 30 per cent compared to 2011 (10,000 tonnes).

Meanwhile, Mainstream projects sales of 54,000 tonnes for Norway, against 38,000 tonnes that had been sold in 2011.

And for Canada the firm anticipates sales of 19,000 tonnes, 9.5 per cent below last year’s sales (21,000 tonnes).

During the presentation of the first quarter results carried out by Cermaq, its executives expressed their concern about "the significant drop in the price of Atlantic salmon."

The average price of this species declined by 35 per cent from the first quarter of 2011 and 6 per cent versus the last three months last year, the firm stated.

Farmed salmon fillet. (Photo: Mainstream)

Mainstream Chile reported an EBIT before the value parity of NOK 49 million (EUR 6.5 million), compared to NOK 160 million (EUR 21.1 million) a year ago, for low sale prices for all the species, particularly for Atlantic salmon.

Mainstream said it had completed the harvest of Pacific salmon (coho) of the current generation in February and transferred a total of 1.5 million smolts of Atlantic salmon to the sea between January and March 2012.

The company plans to begin the harvest of the new generation of trout and Pacific salmon in July and October, 2012, respectively.

Related article:

- Low salmon prices reduce Cermaq profits

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

Print