​Spain's Stolt Sea Farm (SSF) has broken ground on a new recirculation aquaculture system (RAS) facility for sole in Portugal, the second in the country.

The new facility will be similar to the RAS operations SSF already has in Cervo, Spain, and on the same site in Tocha, "both of which have exceeded expectations in terms of performance and return on investment," said the company, which is part of the Olso stock exchange listed Stolt-Nielsen conglomerate.

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Earlier this year, the company expanded its sole broodstock facility in Merexo, Spain, and it is also halfway through an extension to its sole hatchery in Cervo, Spain.

SSF, which Stolt-Nielsen considered separately listing in 2021, aims for 12,000 metric tons of annual sole production by 2035.

"Growing in aquaculture is not an easy task, and SSF continues to be an exception in many ways. This new RAS sole facility will take us one step further towards achieving our long-term ambition and delivering on our company purpose to ensure that future generations continue to enjoy wonderful seafood," said Jordi Trias, president of SSF, in a statement.

The firm just reported a strong third-quarter performance driven by robust production, steady demand, and high prices for its farmed fish products.

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Stolt Sea Farm reports 42% profit jump on higher prices

The company's operating profit before fair value adjustment of biomass surged 42.6% to $8.7 million in Q3, up from $6.1m in the same period last year. Revenue climbed 8.4% to $33.6m, compared to $31.0m in Q3 2023.

SSF attributed the growth to improved sales prices for both turbot and sole. While turbot sales volume decreased by 5.8%, sole sales volume increased by 5.9%.

The Stolt Sea Farm (SSF) team at the groundbreaking of the new recirculation aquaculture system facility for sole in Portugal. Credit: SSF