AQUACULTURE TECHNOLOGY UPDATE | October 2023

Global demand for seafood has shown no signs of slowing down. Aquaculture technology plays a big role in further expanding production levels and efficiency.

In the midst of soaring spot prices for seafood, the industry has been facing several looming challenges. Issues surrounding fish welfare, sustainability, and broader economic ramifications underscore the need for increased capital expenditure (CAPEX) and dedicated R&D initiatives.

The next wave of innovations in the aquaculture sector is on the horizon. Upcoming changes in governmental policies and regulations serve as a roadmap for sustainable aquaculture, and emerging technologies promise to address existing obstacles, paving the way for optimized resource utilization and reinforced industry resilience.

Aquaculture firms are notably venturing into M&A and financing realms, a shift momentarily dampened by the Norwegian resource taxation narrative. As clarity emerges on taxation frameworks and regulatory guidelines, the industry finds itself poised for what we anticipate to be an upswing in M&A activities. Looking forward, we also see a call for enhanced wastewater treatment, underscoring the potential for Norway to take a global lead in sustainable aquaculture.

This report casts a spotlight on the recent flux in the M&A domain and offers an in-depth analysis of the challenges the industry encounters.

Graph: Investments in the Aqua-Tech space (2016-2023)

As the global appetite for seafood continues to grow, the Norwegian aquaculture sector is at a pivotal juncture. Recent events regarding salmon tax and upcoming changes in governmental policies and regulations serve as a roadmap for what could be a groundbreaking transformation. This has set the stage for an increase in M&A activities, and despite economic uncertainties, we're witnessing a resilient M&A landscape. We foresee an uptick in strategic acquisitions focusing on technology, data analytics, and innovative solutions that open up a range of opportunities for increased productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Looking forward, we also see a call for enhanced wastewater treatment, underscoring the potential for Norway to take a global lead in sustainable aquaculture. Øyvind Holtedahl, Partner at Oaklins Norway 

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Øyvind Holtedahl Oslo, Norway
Partner
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Kit Andre Gaup Oslo, Norway
Senior Associate
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Martin Nguyen Oslo, Norway
Analyst
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