Aquaculture in Norway

Here is an analysis and summary of today's most important news from the aquaculture industry. Today's news landscape is characterized by optimism within closed technology, operational challenges for land-based farming, and strong market forces in Asia.

Breakthroughs and Growth for Closed Systems

Both FiiZK and BlueGreen report increased commercial maturity and demand for closed facilities. After ten years of development, the "Marine Donut" is considered ready for the market, while FiiZK is experiencing a "boost" in demand. This signals a shift in the industry, where technology is now moving from the development phase to large-scale industrial use to solve challenges with lice and emissions.

FiiZK plans for growth: – The industry wants to move up and forward ([iLaks](https://ilaks.no/fiizk-planlegger-for-vekst-naeringa-onsker-seg-opp-og-frem/?mtm_campaign=feed_click&mtm_kwd=fiizk-planlegger-for-vekst-naeringa-onsker-seg-opp-og-frem&mtm_source=RSS2&mtm_medium=feed))

Ten years of development yields results ([iLaks](https://ilaks.no/ti-ar-med-utvikling-gir-resultater/?mtm_campaign=feed_click&mtm_kwd=ti-ar-med-utvikling-gir-resultater&mtm_source=RSS2&mtm_medium=feed))

Operational Uphill Battle for Bakkafrost and Proximar

Fourth-quarter figures show that biological and operational challenges continue to weigh on major players. Bakkafrost delivers weaker than expected, primarily due to persistent problems in its Scottish operations. Meanwhile, land-based Proximar is feeling a liquidity squeeze in Japan after harvesting fish with low average weights, putting the company's loan conditions under pressure. This underscores the risks associated with both international expansion and land-based production.

Weaker than expected Q4 from Bakkafrost: – Not satisfactory ([iLaks](https://ilaks.no/svakere-enn-ventet-q4-fra-bakkafrost-ikke-tilfredsstillende/?mtm_campaign=feed_click&mtm_kwd=svakere-enn-ventet-q4-fra-bakkafrost-ikke-tilfredsstillende&mtm_source=RSS2&mtm_medium=feed))

Harvesting at low average weights puts new pressure on Proximar's liquidity ([iLaks](https://ilaks.no/slakt-pa-lave-snittvekter-legger-nytt-press-pa-likviditeten-til-proximar/?mtm_campaign=feed_click&mtm_kwd=slakt-pa-lave-snittvekter-legger-nytt-press-pa-likviditeten-til-proximar&mtm_source=RSS2&mtm_medium=feed))

Price Explosion in the Spot Market Driven by China

Salmon prices are rising sharply as a result of a combination of low supply and massive demand in connection with the Chinese New Year. China has increasingly become a key market for fresh salmon, and when the celebration coincides with reduced supply in Europe, spot prices are pushed to new heights. This provides strong margins for those exporters

Today's news landscape is characterized by significant market relief after the threat of US punitive tariffs was averted, combined with operational updates from the sector's largest players and concerns related to the upcoming traffic light system.

Here are the most important stories for the aquaculture industry:

US drops punitive tariffs: Relief and stock rebound

After a period of great uncertainty related to Donald Trump's announced "Greenland tariff," the situation has turned after a framework for an agreement was established. This has led to a sharp relief rally on the Oslo Stock Exchange for salmon stocks, and both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Fisheries express satisfaction with what they describe as a positive signal for trade stability between Europe and the USA.

[iLaks: Ny TACO: Trump dropper straffetoll](https://ilaks.no/ny-taco-trump-dropper-straffetoll/)

[iLaks: Aksjerekyl etter at Trump skrotet tollplaner](https://ilaks.no/aksjerekyl-etter-at-trump-skrotet-tollplaner/)

[Salmon Business: Norway calls US tariff pause a positive signal](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/norway-calls-us-tariff-pause-a-positive-signal-for-trade-stability/)

[Salmon Business: Red lights still loom as lice pressure and uncertainty persist into 2026](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/red-lights-still-loom-as-lice-pressure-and-uncertainty-persist-into-2026/)

Mowi with record harvest in 2025

The world's largest salmon farmer, Mowi, reports record-high harvest volumes for 2025 overall, and the fourth quarter delivered slightly above guidance. Although the overall figures are strong, they mask large regional differences in biological results, highlighting the complexity of large-scale global operations under varying environmental conditions.

[Salmon Business: Record harvest masks mixed regional returns for Mowi in Q4](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/record-harvests-mask-mixed-regional-returns-for-mowi-in-q4/)

[Salmon Business: Tech founder sues salmon billionaire over ‘handshake deal’](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/tech-founder-sues-salmon-billionaire-over-handshake-deal/)

Summary

For industry players, the most important lesson from the last 24 hours is that the geopolitical risk toward the US market has been temporarily reduced, providing breathing room for export strategies. At the same time, the biological

Here is an analysis of the most important news from the start of 2026, focusing on political framework conditions, market outlooks, and strategic changes in the industry.

Today's news landscape is characterized by expectations for the new year, political uncertainty related to the Aquaculture White Paper, and major strategic moves from the largest players.

Political uncertainty and the struggle for framework conditions

The industry is waiting anxiously for the upcoming Aquaculture White Paper, and the question is whether the government has learned from the turbulent processes surrounding the resource rent tax. There are strong warnings that if politicians do not understand the complex interconnections in the industry, it could force rapid and unwanted structural changes that weaken local ownership along the coast. Stable framework conditions are now crucial to ensure investment willingness in the years to come.

Read more: [iLaks: Laks, pølser og politikk](https://ilaks.no/laks-polser-og-politikk-har-jonas-gahr-store-laert-av-grunnrenteskatteforliket/) and [iLaks: Strukturendringene kan komme fort](https://ilaks.no/dersom-det-skjer-vil-strukturendringene-komme-fort/)

Read more: [iLaks: Hvordan går det i 2026?](https://ilaks.no/fjoraret-ga-den-laveste-laksepris-siden-pandemien-hvordan-gar-det-i-2026/) and [iLaks: Børsåret 2025](https://ilaks.no/borsaret-2025-leverandorleddet-gjorde-det-skarpere-enn-enn-oppdretterne-bade-pa-sjo-og-land/)

Strategic acquisitions and operational changes

Major changes are occurring in ownership and strategy among the giants. Mitsubishi-owned Cermaq is gearing up with capital to finance the takeover of Grieg Seafood's operations, a consolidation that will change the balance of power in the sector. Meanwhile, Mowi has concluded its strategic review with a surprising outcome that saves the company $65 million, including a change in feed strategy where they are once again partnering more closely with external suppliers like Skretting.

* Read more: [Salmon Business: Mitsubishi/Cermaq-Grieg deal](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/mitsubishi-flags-cermaq-capital-increases-to-fund-grieg-salmon-deal/) and [Salmon Business: Mowi strategic review](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/mowi-ends-strategic-review-with-surprise-outcome-

Here is an analysis and summary of the most important news from the aquaculture industry towards the end of December 2025. The news landscape is characterized by major strategic moves among the largest players, serious HSE incidents, and biological challenges that require preparedness even during the holiday season.

Strategic shifts and consolidation among the giants

Mowi has concluded its strategic review with an unexpected turn that yields $65 million in annual savings. At the same time, questions are being raised about their long-term feed strategy as they seek closer cooperation with Skretting, challenging the established model of full vertical integration. In parallel, Mitsubishi and Cermaq are gearing up for the acquisition of Grieg Seafood's operations through significant capital increases.

Why it is important: This signals a trend where even the largest players now prioritize cost efficiency and capital discipline over blind vertical integration, while consolidation in the industry continues with unabated strength.

Sources: [Salmon Business (Mowi)](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/mowi-ends-strategic-review-with-surprise-outcome-and-65-million-in-savings/), [Salmon Business (Fôr)](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/back-to-the-future-does-a-salmon-farmer-still-need-to-own-its-own-feed/), [Salmon Business (Cermaq)](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/mitsubishi-flags-cermaq-capital-increases-to-fund-grieg-salmon-deal/)

Serious HSE incidents characterize the operational landscape

There have been two serious accidents related to vessel operations in the past week. An explosion on board one of Lerøy's boats in Bjørnafjorden triggered a full emergency response, and a man in his 20s was flown to the hospital with critical crush injuries following an incident on another vessel.

Why it is important: These incidents underscore the inherent risk in maritime operations and remind the industry that a continuous focus on safety culture and technical maintenance is vital, especially during periods of high work pressure or reduced staffing.

Sources: [iLaks (Eksplosjon)](https://ilaks.no/eksplosjon-i-leroy-bat-i-bjornafjorden/), [iLaks (Klemskade)](https://ilaks.no/mann-i-20-arene-flydd-til-sykehus-etter-klemskade-om-bord-pa-bat/)

Biological risk: ISA detection during the Christmas holidays

Eide Fjordbruk had infectious salmon anemia (ISA) detected at the Ospeneset site on Christmas Eve itself. This follows a period where biological control is crucial for maintaining harvesting plans and market supply.

Why it is important: The detection of ISA entails strict restrictions and requirements for culling, which results in major logistical challenges and economic losses. The fact that this occurs during a holiday tests the preparedness of both the farmer and the authorities.

Source: [iLaks (ILA-påvisning)](https://ilaks.no/eide-fikk-ila-pavisning-pa-julaften/)

Market unrest and price correction for 2026

After a sharp price increase driven by logistics bottlenecks and the Christmas rush in Europe, we are now seeing the first price corrections as trading for 2026 begins. At the same time, the supplier Fish Care Solutions (FCS) has been reported bankrupt, showing that margin pressure in the value chain remains real for equipment suppliers.

Why it is important: The transition to a new year entails

Sources: [iLaks (Pris)](https://ilaks.no/lakseprisen-faller-tilbake-idag-skal-vi-kjope-fisk-for-neste-