A new report investigates and evaluates the underlying reasons for the recent dramatic rise in prices of many of the commodities (e.g., soybean, corn, fishmeal, fish oil, rice and wheat) used in aquafeed production and its consequences for the global aquafeed industry and, in particular, on demand and expectations from aquaculture in ensuring current and future fish supplies - with particular reference to Asia and Europe. The report note that since 2005, the basket commodity price index (CPI) rose by about 50 per cent and the prices of soybean meal, fishmeal, corn and wheat rose by 67, 55, 284, 225 and 180 per cent, respectively. Similarly, the cost of major oils used in the aquafeed industry has increased by up to 250%. “The aquaculture industry is, therefore, not immune to this global phenomenon and the major concern is how it will impact aquaculture. ” write the authors. More details below...

Trident Seafoods Corporation, the vertically integrated Seattle-based seafood processor and marketer of Alaskan and Pacific Northwest seafood, announced Monday (August 2nd) that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the assets of Icicle Seafoods' surimi analog business in Bellingham, Washington. The transaction is scheduled to close August 16, 2010. Other terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Speaking about the transaction, Trident's Executive Vice President, Joe Bundrant, said: “Trident has worked hard to grow our value added business and expand our production capacity and our markets for value added seafood. Surimi seafood is quick and easy to prepare and is a natural extension of our 'Source to the Plate'® philosophy. Today's consumers want to know where their fish is coming from, and adding value to the fish we catch is the best way to fill that demand”. Dennis Guhlke President and Chief Executive Officer of Icicle Seafoods added: “This transaction provides Icicle Seafoods with fair value for a non-core operation and will allow Icicle to redeploy the proceeds to grow our core business.” Trident is the largest seafood company in North America serving consumers through all distribution channels, including grocery retailers, club stores, foodservice distributors, national restaurants chains and industrial manufacturers. More details below...

Oslo Børs-listed Marine Harvest Group – the world's largest farmed salmon producer - achieved an operational EBIT (earnings before interests and tax) of NOK 792 million in the second quarter (Q2) of 2010, compared to NOK 268 million in the corresponding quarter of 2009. Earnings per share (EPS) improved from NOK -0.02 to NOK 0.21, the firm said this morning (July 21st) as it released its results. Strong demand for salmon compounded by reduced industry supply lead to increasing prices also in Q2. Harvest volumes were 68,263 tonnes compared to 83,960 tonnes in the second quarter of 2009. However Marine Harvest Norway showed a weak price achievement in the quarter, the firm adds. Based on the strong cash-flow in the first half of 2010, the Board has resolved to call an EGM in August where a half-year dividend of NOK 0.20 per share will be proposed. This morning at time of publication, the MHG shares were one of the Top 5 Best Performers of the Børs; with shares up at 6.87% at 10.59 GMT+1. Indicative of the progress made in the firm's restructure programme in the ISA disease-impacted South American country, the Chilean farming operations have in Q2 2010 achieved a break-even operational EBIT. More details below...

Marine Harvest ASA's acting CEO and Director Group Operations Canada, Scotland & Others - Thomas Farstad - has decided to leave the firm (the world's largest farmed salmon producer) in order to join Aker Seafoods ASA as CEO and President later this year, it was announced this Friday morning (June 25th) on the Oslo stock exchange. Mr Farstad will continue as Acting CEO of Marine Harvest ASA until July 19th when the new CEO - Alf-Helge Aarskog - takes up his position. Mr. Aarskog was appointed CEO on 30th of March 2009, and joins Marine Harvest from the position as CEO at Lerøy Seafood Group (LSG). All three firms above are Børs-listed companies. Aker Seafoods (ticker 'AKS') is among the largest employers in Norway’s fisheries industry, and one of Norway’s leading producers and exporters of fish products. Most of its harvesting and primary processing is of cod, saithe and haddock; but it also processes plaice, salmon, tuna and trout. AKS commented this morning that its processing and sales operations will be demerged into a separate company under the name 'Norway Seafoods AS'. At/after its creation (“end of June/beginning of July”) - this wholly-owned AKS company will be under the leadership of Thomas Farstad. The fish harvesting operations will remain a separate business area in Aker Seafoods under the leadership of Trond Williksen, currently executive vice president for harvesting in the group. When he takes up his position, Mr Farstad's annual salary will be of NOK 2.25 million. More details below...