China salmon farmer has doubled production capacity to 8,000 tonnes
Nordic Aqua increased both production and harvesting volume in the second quarter. At the same time, its operating loss was significantly reduced from the same period last year.
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Nordic Aqua Partners (NOAP) continues the ramp-up at its land-based salmon facility in Ningbo, China, which LandbasedAQ has previously visited. In the second quarter of 2026, the company produced 2,294 tonnes of biomass, driven by additional capacity in phase two of its recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility and what the company describes as good fish health and welfare.
At the end of Q2, the plant had total biomass of 5,644 tonnes with an average standing biomass cost of €5.36/kg.
NOAP harvested 1,362 gutted weight tonnes of salmon during the quarter and had a 96% superior share.
The average weight was 4.4 kilograms gutted and 5.3 kilograms live weight.
"It is with great pleasure we can announce that we are now fully up and
running with an annual production capacity of 8,000 tonnes. The good
operational performance seen during recent quarters continues and combined with good fish health and welfare, this is gradually supporting improved growth, higher harvest weights and lower production costs," said chief executive Ragnar Joensen.
Production cost reduced
The production cost for the fish harvested in the quarter was €6.05 per kilo. NOAP points to good operational performance over time and increased harvest volumes as explanations for the cost level.
The average selling price ended at €6.94 per kilo. For superior salmon over five kilos, the company achieved an average price of €7.85 per kilo.
Revenue in the second quarter was €9.4 million, up from €5.1m in the same quarter the previous year.
At the same time, the operating profit (EBIT) was € -0.6m, compared to € -2.6m in the second quarter of 2025. The company cites high global supplies of Atlantic salmon and weaker spot prices as the reason why the result remained negative.
Average size will increase
According to the company, the biological development from the second quarter has continued into the third quarter, with high feeding levels, good fish welfare and stable operating conditions.
Nordic Aqua also points out that the number of fish in the facility is still higher than what is optimal for the production of large fish on an industrial scale. The company will therefore have to harvest somewhat smaller fish to optimise the biomass.
This means that it will take a few quarters before the planned increase in average harvest weight takes full effect.
In the third quarter, the company expects an average harvest weight of around 4.5 kilograms gutted. The harvest volume is expected to be between 1,400 and 1,600 gwt.
For the whole of 2026, Nordic Aqua is guiding a harvesting volume of between 5,500 and 6,000 gwt.
Planning the next expansion
The second phase of construction in Ningbo is now nearing completion. Together with the first phase of construction, this gives Nordic Aqua an annual production capacity of 8,000 tonnes of salmon.
The company has also begun detailed engineering for construction phase three. The long-term plan is to increase the plant's capacity to 20,000 tonnes annually.
If the company makes a final investment decision, construction of the third stage could begin in the first half of 2027. First harvest from phase three is indicated for 2029.
Strong growth in Chinese salmon demand
Nordic Aqua also highlights developments in the Chinese market. Imports of Atlantic salmon to China were 40,908 tonnes in the second quarter, an increase of 25% from the same period the previous year.
In the first half of the year, 87,459 tonnes were imported, 39% more than the previous year. According to the company, consumption of fresh, whole Atlantic salmon in China increased by 48% in 2025.
Nordic Aqua is aiming to capitalise on this growth through locally produced salmon from the Ningbo facility, and is working to expand distribution to the restaurant, hotel, and retail markets in China.
