THE KINGFISH COMPANY N.V. 2023 a pivotal year paving the way for future growth Highlights 2023 o Phase 2 expansion fully operational o Excellent biological performance, exceeding expectations o Record biomass growth of 2,195 tons (2022: 1,511 tons) o Total volume sold 1,457 tons (2022: 1,435 tons) o Revenue per kg up by 15% toEUR 15.1 (2022:EUR 13.1 per kg) o Gross margin per kg sold up 54% toEUR 2.9 (2022:EUR 1.9 per kg) o Operational EBITDA per kg sold wasEUR -2.7 per kg (2022:EUR -2.7 per kg) Kats,Netherlands -April 11, 2024 :The Kingfish Company N.V. (the "Company"; "Kingfish"; OSE: KING), pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based production of yellowtail kingfish, announces FY 2023 financial results. "Looking back on 2023, I am pleased to announce several significant achievements. Our Phase 2 expansion has been successfully completed, setting the stage for continued growth. The record biomass growth and outstanding biological performance of our fish have exceeded expectations. Looking ahead, we see potential to further enhance our operations through efficiencies and economies of scale. Our primary focus remains on accelerating sales growth while simultaneously improving operational efficiency. We are looking forward to an exciting and prosperous future," saidVincent Erenst , CEO ofThe Kingfish Company . Financial review Throughout the year,The Kingfish Company demonstrated unparalleled production excellence. Our farm's biological performance surpassed expectations, achieving a record biomass growth of 2,195 tons (+45% vs. 2022). By the end of the year, we reached a closing biomass of 967 tons, significantly higher than the 408 tons recorded at the end of 2022. The remarkable efficiency of our expanded facilities pushedThe Kingfish Company to new heights of productivity, maintaining our position as an industry leader with a growth rate of 0.76 kg per cubic meter per day. The introduction of improved feed formulations and the superior performance of our 3rd generation fish contributed to a reduced eFCR of 1.36, down from 1.47 in 2022. Our farm is now fully stocked with 3rd generation fish, demonstrating a reduction in the growth cycle to 3kg by up to two months.The Kingfish Company experienced a 17% revenue increase in 2023, reachingEUR21.9 million (2022:EUR18.7 million ). Volume sold remained stable at 1,457 tons (2022: 1,435 tons) due to capacity constraints until the third quarter of 2023. The average revenue per kg continued to increase reachingEUR15.1 in 2023 (2022:EUR13.1 ). This increase resulted from a favorable size mix, and strong demand for our freshDutch Yellowtail . The US frozen market presented more competition, with some pressure on price. However, fresh sales inNorth America saw significant growth, underscoring the appeal and potential of our product in the premium food service segment and retail markets. To further drive the development and market penetration ofDutch Yellowtail , Kingfish is enhancing its sales and marketing activities across key markets inEurope ,North America , and other promising export destinations. We were also delighted to welcome Gudo klein Gebbink as our new Commercial Director, who joined us inJanuary 2024 , bringing a wealth of experience to develop our brand, expand our customer base and boost sales in existing and new markets. Our journey towards profitability has gained momentum, with a 54% increase in gross margin per kg toEUR2.9 (2022:EUR1.9 per kg) despite rising input costs. This achievement is attributed to the increased volume produced (+684 tons vs. 2022) as well as enhanced operational efficiency, driven by the lower FCR and the new feed formulations introduced on the farm. Higher average sales prices and a more favorable sales mix have also contributed to the improved gross margin. Operational EBITDA has been stable in 2023 atEUR-3.9 million (2022:EUR-3.8 million ). Operational EBITDA per kg wasEUR-2.7 (2022:EUR -2.7 per kg). SG&A costs increased by 25% year-on-year, driven by the need to strengthen the support functions as well as some restructuring costs. Excellent operational performance, increased production and the strengthening of our sales and marketing capabilities will be the key drivers of future profitability. Cash flow and liquidity The Company reportedEUR -7.3 million of operating cash flow in 2023 (2022:EUR -7.0 million ). The cash flow from operations was impacted in 2023 by aEUR3.5 million increase in working capital, mainly driven by the higher closing biomass (+EUR2 million vs 2022). Biomass at 2023 year-end is approaching its steady-state level. Cash flow from investing activities amounted toEUR-22.8 million in 2023. The total investment until the end of 2023 in the Phase 2 project amounted toEUR93 million , of whichEUR21 million was spent in 2023. Cash flow from financing activities amounted toEUR48 million in 2023. The Company raisedEUR19.7 million inJanuary 2023 , in the last tranche of the capital increase arranged inOctober 2022 . At the start ofJuly 2023 , the Company successfully raisedEUR32 million by way of a convertible loan with a fixed interest rate and a duration of 4 years with most of its existing shareholders as well as with the sustainability-focused Ocean 14 Capital fund. Net debt onDecember 31, 2023 , amounted toEUR 77.1 million , an increase ofEUR 9 million compared toEUR 68.1 million onSeptember 30, 2023 . The Company hasEUR31 million in liquidity, consisting of cash and short-term deposits ofEUR19.6 million and financing facilities ofEUR11 million . The Company is closely monitoring the liquidity position to support the sales ramp-up and remains optimistic about the financial trajectory and the opportunities ahead. Sustainability achievementsThe Kingfish Company has made significant improvements toward its sustainability objectives. In the year 2023, a 33% reduction in our Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FFDR) was achieved, bringing FFDR down to 1.71. This achievement not only exceeded our 2025 target for reducing dependency on marine resources but also demonstrated our commitment to responsible aquaculture practices. In addition, the Company successfully lowered its carbon emissions, accomplishing 75% of its 2025 carbon footprint reduction goal in 2023. The reduction in Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) also played a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and lessening our reliance on marine resources. Our R&D team remains dedicated to further reducing this dependency. By optimizing feed formulations and exploring alternative ingredients, we aim to continue minimizing our impact on marine ecosystems. These achievements underscoreThe Kingfish Company's firm adherence to best practices in aquaculture. Outlook AsThe Kingfish Company continues to navigate through its growth journey, we are excited about the potential that lies ahead. The Company focuses on accelerating revenue growth, while optimizing operations.The Kingfish Company is investing significantly in sales and marketing to accelerate the expansion of its customer base and develop existing and new markets. Whereas the current main priority is on optimizing the operations inthe Netherlands , the Company also continues to investigate expansion plans in the US,Europe , and other regions. The Company expects to benefit from the scaling effect and further improvement in operations and productivity to become profitable and cash positive. The Company is closely monitoring the development of its liquidity position and is focused on ensuring that it remains fully financed to sustain the current growth trajectory and pursue expansion opportunities. Our unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and market expansion sets us on a promising path toward delivering value to our stakeholders and contributing to a more sustainable future. Webcast CEOVincent Erenst and CFOJean-Charles Valette will present the Q4 and FY 2023 financial results onThursday April 11, 2024 , at14:00 CET . The online presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. The presentation will be available on our website before the start of the webcast. Click here to access the webcast. For media and investor inquiries, please contact: press@the-kingfish-company.com ir@the-kingfish-company.comCompany News feed https://www.the-kingfish-company.com/news AboutThe Kingfish Company The Kingfish Company is a pioneer and leader in sustainable land-based aquaculture. Current annual production capacity at its Kingfish Zeeland facility inthe Netherlands is 3,500 tons of high quality and high-value yellowtail kingfish. Next expansion opportunities are inthe Netherlands and the US. KingfishMaine is fully permitted by local, state, and federal regulatory agencies to build an 8,500 tons production facility. Production is based on advanced recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), which protect biodiversity and ensure biosecurity. Animal welfare is paramount, and the fish is grown without use of antibiotics and vaccines. Operations run on 100 percent renewable electricity, sourced from wind, solar and biogas. The Company's facilities operate on sea water, avoiding wasting precious fresh water.The Kingfish Company's main product, the Dutch Yellowtail (also known as ricciola/hiramasa/greater amberjack) is a highly versatile premium fish species, well known in the Italian and Asian fusion cuisines. Its products are certified and approved as sustainable and environmentally friendly byAquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) andBritish Retail Consortium (BRC). It was the winner of the 2019 Seafood Excellence Award, and it is recommended as green choice byGood Fish Foundation . This press release contains certain non-IFRS financial measures which are not recognized measures of financial performance under IFRS. All figures in the press release are unaudited. This information is pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 theNorwegian Securities Trading Act.
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