Pure Salmon signed a multi-year agreement with Benchmark Genetics to supply Atlantic salmon ova to their projects worldwide. The contract’s potential volume represents more than 80 million eggs per year at full capacity with the first delivery of ova expected in 2022. The agreement also formalizes a strategic collaborative partnership focusing on continuous product development and R&D.

Having multiple land-based projects under realization globally, representing a target production of 260,000 tons of Atlantic salmon per year, Pure Salmon acknowledges the importance of security of supply of biosecure ova, tailored to their specific requirements and delivered to multiple geographies through the year. Phase 1 of the expansion includes sites in Japan, the USA and France. In the next phase, the company will build and operate farms in China, South-East Asia and the UAE.

Geir Olav Melingen, commercial director in Benchmark Genetics, said that “signing this contract marks a major milestone in the strategic pathway to position Benchmark Genetics as the preferred supplier to the growing land-based salmon segment.” Melingen explained that to meet the contractual requirements of supply, services and support, Benchmark Genetics is significantly increasing the production capacity in Iceland by building a new incubation center to be in operation this summer. Benchmark Genetics has also hired two new dedicated team members within the commercial team with specific competencies and experience with farming in RAS systems. 

“Pure Salmon has set off on a journey to become the leading sustainable producer of Atlantic salmon in land-based systems worldwide. Securing supplies of salmon ova is of key importance for the realization and success of our ambitious plans,” said David Cahill, head of Production in Pure Salmon. “We have chosen Benchmark Genetics as our partner due to their proven record of supply to customers worldwide. Also, the fact that their production systems of holding broodstock on land the entire life cycle secures the highest levels of biosecurity in the industry.”