Trusal produced about 28,000 tonnes of salmonids in 2010 and this year 33.000/34.000 tonnes are expected. (Photo: Trusal/FIS)

Chilean and foreign companies interested in buying Trusal

CHILE
Thursday, September 01, 2011, 00:50 (GMT + 9)

For about 60 days, the companies Granja Marina Tornagaleones, Mainstream -- the Norwegian holding firm Cermaq -- and Tecnología de Alimentos SA from Peru (TASA) are negotiating the purchase of the salmon company Trusal.

According to a source from the salmon industry, given the way the negotiations have been developed, Trusal would have hired the services of an investment bank that operates in Chile, Estrategia reported.

According to the source, a few months ago Brescia Group – owner of TASA – expressed its intention to purchase the salmon firm during 2011.

For some time, Trusal has shown sustained growth: last year it produced about 28,000 tonnes of salmonids, mainly coho salmon and trout, and in 2011 the firm is expected to obtain between 33,000 and 34,000 tonnes.

For a couple of years, Trusal executives have intended to produce some 35,000 tonnes annually and little by little increase the production level.

Infotrade consulting agency indicated that during the first half of 2011, the fish firm was placed in eighth place among salmon exporters in Chile, with returns of USD 65 million, that is to say, 38 per cent more than in the same period last year (USD 47 million).

Last month, the Undersecretariat of Fisheries (Subpesca) launched an investigation to see if Trusal had violated the health provisions by not respecting break schemes in a salmon fish farm.

Under the Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture, neighbourhoods (clusters of aquaculture concessions) must stop their activities for three months, after the completion of the salmon sowing, cultivation and harvesting processes.

According to the regulations, the working periods of time can range from 15 to 24 months, depending on the agreement established among the companies that form part of the neighbourhood.

Official sources indicated that Trusal might have incurred an infraction in the neighbourhood Chaitén 14, which remained under the 21 month operation scheme.

Related articles:

- Trusal investigated for alleged breach of health regulations
- Peruvian group interested in two Chilean salmon companies

By Analia Murias
[email protected]
www.seafood.media

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