Accelerated organic growth expected for AKVA group
Expected 1-2 million tons increase1 in global consumption of Atlantic salmon by 2030 drives growth expectations
The expected demand growth is in line with the increase in salmon consumption over the last 10 years, and the outlook is strongly supported by global megatrends where consumers focus on healthy and sustainable food produced close to where they live.
On the supply side, a major part of the increased volume is likely to come from conventional cage based farming, supported by improved fish health and technology innovations. The remaining part is expected to be supplied from land based farming and other unconventional technologies. Farming salmon closer to consumers in Asia and US would eliminate the environmental footprint of air transport and is expected to be cost competitive. AKVA is already involved in several such projects as reported lately.
“For AKVA group, as a leading global supplier of technology to the salmon industry, the expected increase in both cage based and land based salmon farming will represent two growth engines for our business”, CEO Knut Nesse states.
AKVA group will from 2021 ramp up our spending on our innovation agenda and digital solutions to continue to be in the forefront supporting the farmers in sustainable production of healthy fish and realizing the significant growth potential for the industry.
The market outlook reflected above forms the basis for the group’s strategy for the period 2021-2023 as supported by the Board of directors earlier this month. “I am pleased that we all concurred on the ambition to deliver minimum 25% annual EBIT-increase”, says CFO Ronny Meinkøhn. “We are also confident that AKVA group already has the financial capacity to realize our organic growth strategy, and at the same time pay an attractive and gradually increasing dividend to our shareholders”, he adds.
To summarize, the AKVA strategy includes the following key elements:
- Topline growth is primarily expected to be organic. Strong focus on operational excellence.
- Deliver minimum 25% EBIT-increase year-on-year.
- Step by step improve return on average capital employed (ROACE) to minimum 15% by 2023.
- At least 50% increase in innovation spending to support new product development and organic growth.
- Ramp up the spending on our 3 digital platforms AKVA connect, AKVA observe and Fishtalk.
Our capital markets day starts at 13.00 (CET) today 24.November 2020, and an extensive presentation package will be made available on our web-pages and at at the same time.
Dated: 24 November 2020
AKVA group ASA
Web:
CONTACTS:
| Knut Nesse | Chief Executive Officer |
| Phone: | |
| Mobile: | |
| E-mail: |
| Ronny Meinkøhn | Chief Financial Officer |
| Phone: | |
| Mobile: | |
| E-mail: |
Disclaimer
All opinions and statements in this notice are, regardless of source, given in good faith, and may only be valid as of the stated date of this notice and may be subject to change without notice. AKVA group has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the information contained in this notice is true and not misleading. Notwithstanding such efforts, we make no guarantee as to its accuracy or completeness.
This notice includes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore investors should not place undue reliance on them. Words such as “expect”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “intend”, “estimate, “should” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements speaks only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement in light of new information or future events.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond AKVA group’s control. Although it is believed that the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors should bear in mind that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements, including assumptions relating to general economic conditions in Norway and worldwide. Numerous factors exist and may occur that could cause AKVA group’s actual operations, result or performance to differ from the forward-looking statements.
Any use of information contained in this notice is at your own individual risk. AKVA group assumes no liability for any losses caused by relaying on the information contained in this notice, including investment decision taken on the basis of this notice.
This notice is not intended for, and must not be distributed to, individuals or entities in jurisdictions where such distribution is unlawful.
1 Sources: Kontali, NASDAQ, Cardo Partners Analysis
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act
