January 26, 2022

Iceland's farmed salmon production rose by 35% in 2021

The production of farmed salmon in Iceland increased by more than 12,000 tonnes, or 35%, last year, Morgunblaðið reported.

More than 46,000 tonnes of salmon were produced last year, according to information from MAST, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority. That exceeds expected production by 3,000 tonnes.

According to Gísli Jónsson, veterinarian at MAST, there are two reasons why production exceeded expectations. Firstly, salmon grew fast in marine pens in late summer and into fall, causing some companies to start slaughtering early to reduce crowding at the growing grounds by winter. Secondly, a viral disease that came up in salmon in Reyðarfjörður, the East Fjords, caused the emptying of marine pens to be expedited in certain breeding grounds.

Salmon farming is mainly done at sea farming facilities in the West Fjords and in the East Fjords of Iceland. Land-based fish farming has decreased, most likely temporarily.

The largest producer of farmed salmon in Iceland is Arnarlax, which produced 23,600 tonnes last year, followed by Arctic Fish, with about 23,400 tonnes. Sea farming facilities in the East Fjords are growing rapidly.

Jónsson believes that the rapid growth recently seen in farmed salmon production in Iceland will slow down in the coming years. He expects some production to increase this year, likely resulting in total production being in excess of 50,000 tonnes by the end of the year.

- Iceland Monitor