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Here is a summary of the most important news from the aquaculture industry on March 20, 2026. Today's news is characterized by short-term price pressure in a volatile market, persistent biological challenges related to fish health, and an increased regulatory focus on competence in land-based facilities.

Market Development: Short-term price pressure vs. increased long-term forecasts

Salmon prices are experiencing a drop this week, with a spot price down towards EUR 8.48/kg. This is largely due to logistics challenges related to air freight, which puts particular pressure on the price of large fish (6 kg+). Despite this, ABG Sundal Collier has upwardly adjusted its price forecasts for 2026 to NOK 86/kg (EUR 7.82/kg), driven by expectations of persistent supply constraints in the global market.

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Here is an analysis and summary of today's most important news from the aquaculture industry, focusing on strategic changes, biological challenges, and logistics.

Today's news landscape is characterized by major changes in top management at key players, new insights into biological framework conditions,

Here is an analysis and summary of the most important news from the aquaculture industry on February 11 and 12, 2026.

Today's news landscape is characterized by record-strong financial results from the largest players, combined with a continued heavy investment in land-based technology and a sharpened focus on biological challenges and regulatory control.

Financial Strength and Market Demand

Mowi delivered record results for the fourth quarter of 2025, with revenues of 1.59 billion euros, driven by increased volumes and improved prices. At the same time, we are seeing massive demand from the Chinese market, which imported over 4,000 tons of salmon in a single week. This underscores salmon's strong position in global markets, despite operational challenges, and provides capital for further investments in the industry.

[Mowi nets €1.6 billion quarter as salmon prices rebound](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/mowi-nets-e1-6-billion-quarter-as-salmon-prices-rebound/)

[Kina fløy inn over 4.000 tonn norsk laks i forrige uke](https://ilaks.no/kina-floy-inn-over-4-000-tonn-norsk-laks-i-forrige-uke-men-na-blir-det-roligere/)

Investment in Post-smolt and Land-based Technology

Nordlaks has entered into a major contract with Framo for delivery to its new post-smolt facility, while Gigante Salmon has raised 360 million NOK in an oversubscribed private placement. These investments confirm a clear trend in the industry: moving production onto land to shorten the time spent in open sea cages. This is strategically important for reducing biological risk, improving fish health, and increasing total production capacity within current regulations.

[Framo landet storkontrakt med Nordlaks](https://ilaks.no/framo-landet-storkontrakt-med-nordlaks-dette-er-et-fyrtarnprosjekt-for-oss/)

[Gigante Salmon increases share issue after private placement oversubscribed](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/gigante-salmon-increases-share-issue-after-private-placement-oversubscribed/)

Biological Challenges and Regulatory Pressure

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has announced twelve system audits of aquaculture companies in 2026, while Mowi's farming director, Øyvind Oaland, defends the industry's efforts against mortality. The fact that authorities are stepping up control at the same time as industry leaders must answer for biological results shows that fish welfare and mortality remain the most critical success factors for the industry's reputation and framework conditions going forward.

[Mattilsynet vil granske disse oppdretterne i år](https://ilaks.no/mattilsynet-vil-granske-disse-oppdretterne-i-ar/)

[Avviser vilje-brems: – Farten på erfaring er veldig vond å vri på](https://ilaks.no/avviser-vilje-brems-farten-pa-erfaring-er-veldig-vond-a-vri-pa/)

Infrastructure and Supplier Industry

AKVA group is strengthening its supplier capacity through a new partnership for concrete feed barges, and Aker BioMarine reports strong growth in EBITDA driven by increased demand for krill oil. This shows a healthy supplier industry capable of innovating in both physical infrastructure and sustainable feed ingredients, which is crucial for the industry's further growth and efficiency.

[Partnership to supply concrete feed barges for Nordic and Scottish farms](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/partnership-to-supply-concrete-feed-barges-for-nordic-and-scottish-farms/)

[Aker BioMarine posts higher earnings as krill oil demand rises](https://www.salmonbusiness.com/aker-biomarine-posts-higher-earnings-as-krill-oil-demand-rises/)

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-