Former Portugal government minister lined up for Andfjord Salmon board
On-land salmon farmer Andfjord Salmon is to appoint former Portuguese agriculture and fisheries minister António Serrano to its board after food retailer Jeronímo Martins took a 10.1% stake in the Norwegian company.
Serrano, who was a government minister from October 2009 to June 2011, is chief executive of Jeronímo Martins’ agribusiness operation, Jerónimo Martins Agro-Alimentar, which among things operates three sea bass and sea bream farms – two in Portugal and one in Morocco.
Andfjord Salmon, which will stock its first smolts this month, plans to eventually produce 69,000 gutted weight tonnes of salmon a year at three sites on the island of Andøya.
Extensive competence
Andfjord chief executive Martin Rasmussen said yesterday that it was an advantage to have a shareholder that possesses extensive competence about international food industry sales, marketing, logistics and distribution.
“Hopefully we can tap into this know-how when we are ready to bring our salmon to the market,” added Rasmussen.
At the end of last year Jerónimo Martins Group had 4,908 stores and 123,458 employees in Portugal, Poland and Colombia.
Andfjord Salmon will hold an extraordinary general meeting on July 1 to allow shareholders to vote on Serrano’s appointment.
