– The company highlighted a 64% reduction in antibiotic use, as well as its good performance in waste management, valuing 87% of it. Regarding its economic performance, it recorded 5% growth in revenue and 29% Ebitda growth, translating into profits of US$ 64 million.
Talcahuano, April 13, 2023. Blumar, the fishing and salmon farming company, launched its 2022 integrated report, where it communicated the improvement in the company’s financial results and advances in integrating sustainability into its business model, in addition to progress achieved in relevant areas such as environmental, social and governance. The financial information was audited by PwC and the sustainability information by EY Chile, this being the first time that sustainability indices in this area have been externally audited.
Regarding financial results, Blumar recorded 5% growth in revenue and 29% Ebitda growth, which translated into profits of US$ 64 million. In the salmon area, this was explained by the recovery of the Hotels, Restaurants and Casinos (Horeca) channel in the main salmon markets, allowing US$ 404 million in revenue to be recorded in the aquaculture segment, a figure 3% higher than 2021.
For its part, in the fishing segment a historic Ebitda of US$ 73 million was achieved, showing the full validity of industrial fishing activity. During 2022, it was highlighted that the Technical-Scientific Committee of the ORP assigned a 15% increase in the jack mackerel quota, due to the better state and availability of the resource. This resulted in this fishery moving from being “overexploited” to “in full exploitation” over the last 10 years.
Blumar’s board president, Rodrigo Sarquis, noted in his letter that “during 2022, Blumar showed that it is prepared to take advantage of the opportunities offered to us by a country with fishing and salmon farming vocation. We have the people and tools necessary to face a future, where healthy food will be the protagonist, and to take advantage of the potential of our activities”.
The company highlighted the advances it has made in environmental commitments made following the signing of a Sustainability Linked Loan credit with Rabobank, where, for example, antibiotic use has been reduced by 64% since 2017, exceeding the goal of 58% that it set for 2027. Furthermore, according to the 2021 GSI Sustainability Report, Blumar established itself as the company with the lowest antibiotic use at the national level.
This was not the only objective achieved by the salmon farming and fishing company. In terms of certifications, the number of salmon farming centers with ASC certification increased, reaching 71%, exceeding the 60% commitment. On the other hand, regarding waste management, 87% of waste was valued, exceeding the established goal by seven percentage points.
Along with this, 76% renewable electricity supply in plants was achieved and a 20% reduction in carbon footprint of scope 1 and 2 in terms of intensity per ton of product was achieved, compared to 2020. All these advances are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through the goals set by the company for 2027.
Blumar’s general manager, Gerardo Balbontín, emphasized that “we see 2023 full of challenges and opportunities, and we are convinced that again, together with the great human team and the spirit that characterize us, we will be able to face this transformative year, projecting the next decades of Blumar’s development, where we hope to continue being a relevant actor for our investors, communities and employees”.
It is worth noting that during 2022, the company launched its new purpose: “We nourish people honoring the ocean”. This aims to synchronize the work that has been carried out over the last five years, where the sustainability strategy was integrated with the business strategy, implying a change in perspective on the relationship with the environment and nature.
