New Zealand King Salmon has reported higher than expected sea farm mortality and lower than anticipated growth rates, which will affect harvest volumes for the 2026 financial year.

The company assured summer's elevated mortality levels were significantly lower than the mortality seen at the end of the 2022 financial year and the beginning of the 2023 financial year.

The situation will not affect the company's guidance for the 2025 financial year.

However, initial estimates for the 2026 financial year harvest are now between 5,900 and 6,300 metric tonnes, with a pro-forma operating ebitda range of $15 million to $24m.

The board said the dominant correlation for the fish mortality was prolonged elevated water temperature, which increases stress and reduces the salmon's resistance to bacteria and other pathogens.

New Zealand King Salmon will provide further guidance for the 2026 financial year with the release of its year-end results on March 27, 2025.

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