Norwegian seafood company Austevoll reported "strong operating profit" in its third quarter this year, despite it being the off-season quarter for pelagic fish.
Income for the company was up in 3Q 2013, totaling NOK 3.3 million (USD million, EUR million), up from the NOK 2.9 million (USD million, EUR million) recorded in the same period last year.
Earnings before interest, taxes, dividends and acquisitions (EBITDA) totaled NOK 605 million (USD million, EUR million), up from the NOK 281 million (USD million, EUR million) recorded in 3Q 2012. The company said in its report that Atlantic salmon and trout prices were "significantly higher" compared to last year, which boosted sales.
The company acknowledged that most pelagic fish are in the off-season in 3Q, but sales figures for fishmeal and fish oil in the same quarter remained positive. Volumes were down but, like salmon and trout, prices were higher. The company's EBITDA for fishmeal and fish oil in 3Q 2013 totaled NOK 177 million (USD million, EUR million), compared to NOK 158 million (USD million, EUR million) recorded in 3Q 2012.
