Operational EBIT for Grieg Seafood was NOK 145 million in the third quarter, stable from NOK 149 million in the corresponding period last year.
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Harvest volume was 22,923 tonnes during the period (20,479), which gives an operational EBIT per kg of NOK 6.3 (7.3).
Results in Rogaland and Finnmark were positively impacted by a high share of superior fish, partly offset by contracts, timing of harvest in addition to lower average harvest weight in Finnmark.
The cost level in Norway ended at NOK 49.8/kg, in line with guidance and up from NOK 42.7/kg in Q2 2022, primarily as a result of inflation. Production in the quarter was hampered by unfavourable biological conditions in both regions, which will impact full year 2022 harvest volumes. Production has gradually improved so far in Q4 2022.
The Spiro parasite has been detected at some farms in Finnmark, where fish recently has been released to sea. The parasite has limited impact on fish welfare and biological performance for most fish, however, fish with sickness signs will be culled.
The source of the parasite is believed to be water intake at a freshwater facility during a limited period of time, and correcting measures have been initiated.
The incident is expected to have limited impact on future harvest volume as actions are taken to compensate the shortfall by transferring more smolt to sea and optimization of sites.
Results in British Columbia were negative during the quarter, with higher costs driven by reduced survival.
The lower survival in seawater is mainly due to algae blooms on selected sites where our barrier system was not yet implemented.
Production at remaining sites were good. As part of the strategy to improve biological control, the company is in process of installing algae mitigation barrier systems at exposed sites in the region.
As part of the company’s optimization strategy, Grieg Seafood have taken action to improve the site structure in BC, phasing out old sites with challenging biology and high cost. The management team is strengthened with a new COO for North America and Managing Director for BC.
In Newfoundland, fish released to sea is performing well and according to plan. So far, 2 million smolt have been released, currently with an average weight of 1 kg. First harvest is expected late 2023. ■
Residents in coastal North Carolina and Virginia braced for potential flooding after Tropical Storm Ophelia made landfall near a North Carolina barrier island on Saturday morning, bringing rain, damaging winds and dangerous surges of water.