SalMar ASA

Earnings Release • Aug 23, 2018

SalMar - Results for the second quarter 2018

SalMar - Results for the second quarter 2018

SalMar ASA posted good operational results in the second quarter. Overall,

Operational EBIT in the second quarter came to NOK 878.6 million, compared with

NOK 983.0 million in the same period last year.

"SalMar's good biological performance continued in the second quarter. Our

results were driven by cost improvements and yet another quarter with high

salmon prices. However, the market operates so that a portion of the salmon is

sold on long-term contracts at a fixed price. In this quarter about 45 percent

of the volume has been sold with a price achievement that has been below the

record high spot prices. Such results are normal and part of our business.

Good fish health and fish welfare are fundamental to all our strategic and

operational decisions. On this basis, we constantly seek new methods and

solutions that can help develop and ensure continued sustainable growth within

the aquaculture industry. Our vision is to produce salmon on the salmon's own

terms. We have already invested above NOK 700 million in Ocean Farm 1, and have

recently entered into a strategic collaboration with regard to the "Smart Fish

Farm", a development project that could bring offshore fish farming another step

forward," says SalMar's CEO Olav-Andreas Ervik."

Gross operating revenues totalled NOK 2.9 billion in the quarter, which is on a

par with the second quarter last year. A total of 34,000 tonnes was harvested in

the quarter, compared with 35,000 tonnes in the second quarter 2017. The average

salmon price (NASDAQ) came to NOK 68.81 per kg in the quarter, up NOK 0.98 per

kg from the same period last year. SalMar's overall EBIT per kg totalled NOK

25.80 in the quarter, down NOK 2.31 per kg from the same period in 2017.

Fish Farming Central Norway's biological performance in the quarter was good.

The cost of the harvested biomass fell steadily through the period. The last

remaining fish transferred to the sea in the autumn of 2016 were harvested out

in April. Otherwise, the volume harvested was fish transferred to the sea in the

spring of 2017. These stocks have continued the positive development and are

therefore harvested at a lower production cost than the previous generation.

As previously communicated, Fish Farming Northern Norway's costs rose in the

second quarter, largely as a result of costs related to sea lice. However, a

high average weight, combined with a favourable harvesting profile through the

quarter, contributed to good price achievement. The segment is expected to

harvest a relatively low volume in the third quarter 2018. Lower volumes could

affect fixed-costs per unit, and SalMar expects the segment's cost level to

remain unchanged from the second to the third quarter.

The Sales and Processing segment made an operating loss of NOK 150 million in

the quarter, attributable to the fact that around 45 per cent of the volume

harvested was sold under contract at prices well below the high spot prices in

the quarter. Operationally, both the harvesting and processing activities have

performed well, and increased volumes have helped boost capacity utilisation and

improved operational efficiency.

The contract rate for the third quarter 2018 stands at 35 per cent as at 23

August.

Based on estimates of the standing biomass at the close of the second quarter

2018, the global supply of Atlantic salmon in 2018 as a whole is expected to

increase by up to 6 per cent. Combined with expectations of strong demand, this

indicates a balanced salmon market, with the outlook for continued high

earnings.

SalMar expects to harvest around 143,000 tonnes in Norway in 2018: 100,000

tonnes in Central Norway and 43,000 tonnes in Northern Norway. Norskott Havbruk

(Scottish Seafarms) and Arnarlax are expected to harvest 26,000 and 6,700 tonnes

respectively in 2018.

The complete report for the second quarter 2018 is attached.

For further information, please contact:

CEO Olav-Andreas Ervik

Tel: +47 918 68 100

Email: olav.andreas.ervik@salmar.no

CFO Trond Tuvstein

Tel: +47 918 53 139

Email: trond.tuvstein@salmar.no

See www.salmar.no for more information about the company.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements stipulated in section

5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.