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Vegard Solsletten   

March 02. 2007

1. Introduction

Featured in IntraFish’ new industry report on cod farming are:

* The 15 biggest farmed cod producers
A first ever with this report is that IntraFish has prepared an overview of the 15 biggest farmed cod producers in Norway, based on production capacity. The two largest companies each have a capacity exceeding 20,000 tons. In total, the 15 biggest companies can produce a whole 150,000 tons of farmed cod if capacity is fully exploited. The companies are presented here with an overview of releases and harvests of fish in 2006, and planned releases and harvests in 2007. Several of the companies have also provided their views on developments in cod farming, up until the present day and looking ahead to the future, taking into consideration challenges the industry will face. Certain juvenile producers are also presented with interviews and details of their company’s production.

* Interviews with 25 key players
The report contains interviews with 25 key personalities in and associated with the cod farming industry, from fry and juvenile production, slaughter-ready fish production, exporters, analysts and others with connections to the industry.

* Statistics
Diverse graphic presentations show how the cod farming industry has developed in recent years.

* Vigorous growth
The cod farming industry has progressed considerably further since IntraFish published the previous Industry Report on cod farming in April 2005. On the juvenile side there are now several companies capable of supplying substantial quantities of cod juveniles.

Precisely the juvenile situation has been a central topic of discussion in Norway the last few months, in that juveniles have been in hot demand. Many companies are investing heavily, and releasing large quantities of juveniles into sea cages.

* Export records
Progress made by cod farming is also reflected in the increase in exports. In the space of two years exports from Norway have increased in value by more than NOK 100 million ($/€). The bulk of exports still consist of gutted, headless cod, but some maintain future efforts must be concentrated to a larger degree on fillet production.

In the previous cod report IntraFish focused on the market as it waited for the arrival of the farmed cod. In this report the focus is on how far the industry has progressed in building up capacity to ensure a regular supply to the market. Certain companies now have this target within their grasp, while others are hot on their heels.

* Growth of biomass
Building of the biomass is firmly in focus. The market will be supplied with increasing quantities of fresh farmed cod, costs will have to be cut and capacity exploited.

The 15 biggest farmed cod producers are now capable of producing 150,000 tons of farmed cod.