(Bergen, 10 May 2023) Mowi recorded all-time high operational profit of 322 million euros in the first quarter of 2023, compared with 207 million euros in the corresponding quarter of 2022. Mowi also recorded the highest revenue ever of 1 362 million euros.
The first quarter of 2023 was characterised by seasonally record-high salmon prices due to reduced global supply and good demand.
“High prices and stellar operational performance by my 11 500 colleagues in 25 countries across the world made the first quarter Mowi’s best quarter ever. Compared with the first quarter last year, we are performing better on almost all indicators,” Mowi CEO Ivan Vindheim said.
Mowi harvested 103 000 tonnes salmon in the quarter, above guidance of 98 000 tonnes. In 2022 Mowi harvested 464 000 tonnes, a record-high level at the time, and Mowi expects to grow this further in 2023 to 484 000 tonnes. From volumes of 375 000 tonnes as recently as 2018, Mowi will have grown its farming volumes by as much as 109 000 tonnes in five years, or 5.2% p.a., which is above industry growth.
“Mowi's goal is to continue to capture market share in the salmon category in the coming years by growing our farming volumes, both organically and acquisitively,” Vindheim said.
Mowi Consumer Products had another solid quarter, delivering seasonally record-high results on outstanding operational performance and continuing to achieve good sales to retail, partly helped by Easter and Lent season.
“Mowi’s branding activities continue unabated with the MOWI brand now present in 18 countries; we are focused on continuing to grow with our customers, with the ultimate goal of de-commoditising the salmon category,” Vindheim said.
Mowi Feed’s sold volumes were record-high for a first quarter on continued strong growth in sea.
“Our feed continues to perform very well with both feed consumption and net growth above industry benchmark levels. Although the start of the year is low season for feed operations, this business area delivered seasonally record-high operational earnings,” Vindheim said.
On 28 March, the Norwegian government announced its resource rent tax proposal to Parliament with few changes from the initial proposal presented in September 2022. The proposed resource rent tax rate was reduced from 40% to 35%. The proposed total tax rate is now 57% including corporate tax versus 62% previously, or about 75% with Norwegian wealth tax.
“This is completely disproportionate and not compatible with the Norwegian Government’s stated growth ambitions for the industry. If passed by Parliament, the new tax regime will be hugely detrimental to the Norwegian aquaculture industry,” Vindheim said.
Mowi’s Board has decided to pay a quarterly dividend of NOK 2.00 per share.
For further information, please contact:
Kristian Ellingsen, CFO, +47 905 14 275
Kim Galtung Døsvig, IR Officer & Head of Treasury, +47 908 76 339
Ola Helge Hjetland, Group Communications Director, +47 970 67 932
About Mowi ASA
Mowi is one of the world's leading seafood companies and the largest producer of farm-raised Atlantic salmon in the world, with an estimated harvest for 2023 of 484 000 tonnes from seven farming countries including Norway, Scotland, Ireland, Faroes, Iceland, Canada and Chile.
Mowi is a fully integrated global seafood company, bringing salmon and other seafood of supreme quality to consumers around the world, partly under our own MOWI brand. Mowi is ranked as the most sustainable animal protein producer in the world by Coller FAIRR.
With headquarters in Bergen, Norway, Mowi employs 11 500 people in 25 countries worldwide, and is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Turnover was EUR 4.9 billion in 2022.
For more information, please visit www.mowi.com.
Forward looking statements
This release may be deemed to include forward-looking statements, such as statements that relate to Mowi's goals and strategies, salmon prices, ability to increase or vary harvest volume, production capacity, trends in the seafood industry, restructuring initiatives, exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations, expected research and development expenditures, business prospects and positioning with respect to market, demographic and pricing trends, strategic initiatives, and the effects of any extraordinary events and various other matters (including developments with respect to laws, regulations and governmental policies regulating the industry and changes in accounting policies, standards and interpretations) on Mowi's business and results. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases, such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "may increase," "may fluctuate," "plan," "goal," "target," "strategy," and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "may," "will," "should," "would," and "could." Forward-looking statements are Mowi's current estimates or expectations of future events or future results. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by these statements because the realization of those results is subject to many risks and uncertainties. Mowi ASA's Annual Report contains additional information about factors that could affect actual results, including: changes to the price of salmon including the value of our biological assets; hedging risks; risks related to fish feed; economic and market risks; environmental risks; operational risks; risks related to escapes, disease and sea lice; product risks; risks related to our acquisitions; financing risks; regulation risks including relating to food safety, the aquaculture industry, processing, competition and anti-corruption; trade restriction risks; litigation risks; tax and accounting risks; strategic and competitive risks; and reputation risks. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available at the time of the release, and Mowi assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
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