The Marine Harvest Group is set for growth in Europe after recording its best second quarter in history with operational earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of NOK 901m (US$147.9m).
Marine Harvest Norway achieved an operational EBIT per kilo of NOK 12.33 (US$2) Q2, while Marine Harvest Scotland and Marine Harvest Canada reported operational EBIT per kilo of NOK 13.55 (US$2.21) and NOK 14.55 (US$2.37).
Alf-Helge Aarskog, CEO, Marine Harvest, said: “These countries are examples of how a long term and systematic approach to biological issues improves not only the fish welfare; it also shows on the bottom line.”
Mr Aarskog added: “I am very encouraged by the strong market outlook in Europe, with future prices of NOK 34 (US$5.5) for the remaining part of 2013 and NOK 35 (US$5.7) in 2014. Marine Harvest is well positioned to take advantage of this as the majority of our volume will be originating in Europe.”
As a result of a strong Q2, the Group is proposing a dividend of NOK 0.05 per share (US$0.008) and is pushing productions estimates from 55,000 tonnes in 2014 to 390,000 tonnes.
