What Atlantic Sapphire’s Q4 harvest numbers tell us about 2025.
Atlantic Sapphire ASA, a pioneer in land-based salmon farming, has released its Q4 2024 trading update, shedding light on the company’s operational progress and its outlook for the coming year.
With a total harvest volume of 670 tonnes HOG in Q4, down from 1,300 tonnes in Q3, the figures reflect a deliberate strategy to optimize future production rather than a simple decline in output.
In addition to its harvested volume, Atlantic Sapphire culled approximately 150 tonnes of smaller fish in Q4. This measure, designed to align the standing biomass with the company’s current feeding capacity, is expected to pave the way for larger harvests in 2025. By prioritizing fish size over immediate yield, the company aims to increase the average weight of its harvest while maintaining the health and sustainability of its stock.
As of December 31, the company reported a standing biomass of 3,180 tonnes RLW, up from 2,830 tonnes in Q3. This increase, alongside a net biomass gain of 1,150 tonnes RLW during the quarter, indicates steady growth despite the reduced harvest volumes.
Favorable Biological Conditions
Atlantic Sapphire also highlighted stable water quality, low mortalities, and increased average harvest weights in Q4. The realized average harvest weight for the quarter was 2.37 kg HOG, reflecting the company’s efforts to optimize its production processes. This progress suggests a strong foundation for further improvements in the first quarter of 2025, as the company continues to adapt its biomass to feeding capacity.
In 2024, Atlantic Sapphire achieved a total harvest volume of approximately 4,400 tonnes HOG, a significant increase from 1,545 tonnes in 2023. This growth underscores the company’s rapid scaling efforts at its Bluehouse facility in Miami, Florida.
The company’s strategic adjustments, including the Q4 culling and focus on larger harvest weights, indicate a commitment to long-term growth and operational stability. While the reduced harvest volume in Q4 may seem concerning at first glance, it is part of a broader effort to optimize yields in 2025 and beyond.
Atlantic Sapphire plans to provide more financial details in its 2024 annual report, scheduled for release on April 23, 2025.
