Marubeni signs agreement to become exclusive distributor of Proximar's salmon

Proximar Seafood and Marubeni Corporation have signed an agreement which will oversee Marubeni as the exclusive distributor in Japan for the Atlantic salmon produced by the recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) Proximar is in the process of constructing.

Construction for the RAS facility began in the first half of 2021 and is located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan. This key location means the company, once the facility is complete and operational, will be able to supply fresh Atlantic salmon to local Japanese markets, with a reduced carbon footprint. Construction of the hatchery and nursery is expected to be complete by 2023.

Project Manager Peder Sollie said that the quick progress they are making with the project is a result of collaboration.

"I believe the project being on track is a result of the close cooperation between our main contractors and Proximar's experienced project management team," he explains in a 2021 report released by the company. "The project involves teams from Japan, Israel and Scandinavia, which complement each other and provide an exciting working environment."

Marubeni General Manager of Fresh Food Department Kazunari Nakamura with Proximar CEO Joachim Nielsen

 

 

The agreement between Proximar and Marubeni covers all sales of all volumes produced by Proximar for the Japanese market, with an initial term of 10 years. Both companies will be involved in marketing efforts and aiming to build a strong, premium sustainable seafood brand.

RAS technology is not geographically restricted and has a low environmental impact when considering water pollution and the run-off of farmed fish. As a market, Japan's appetite and demand for Atlantic salmon continues to grow, with a strong preference for freshness and appreciation of local seafood.

Marubeni has also invested in Danish Salmon, one of the world's largest RAS-based Atlantic salmon producers, since April 2020. As the exclusive distributor of Proximar's Atlantic salmon, Marubeni will be expanding its environmentally friendly food business and supporting the supply of sustainable food.

"Teaming up with Marubeni is a key part of our partnership strategy and brings us one step closer to supplying fresh salmon to the Japanese market," says Joachim Nielsen, CEO of Proximar. "We now have a sales and distribution partner in Japan with superior market insight and access, reducing risk and increasing pricing power. The agreement with Marubeni provides Proximar significant resources in terms of sales and marketing, and we share the same views in terms of our products' attractiveness."

For more information on Proximar Seafood visit their website, HERE.

For more information on Marubeni Corporation visit their website, HERE.

Image credit: Proximar Seafood