Case study:
New Zealand King Salmon

>15% increase

cage survival

New Zealand King Salmon (NZKS), producers of the prestigious Ōra King salmon, has achieved remarkable improvements in salmon production through their partnership with Scottish aquaculture genetics specialist Xelect Ltd. The collaboration has delivered significant gains in survival rates and harvest size, while successfully developing thermotolerance traits to address environmental challenges.

Client background

New Zealand King Salmon operates in the pristine waters of the Marlborough Sounds, producing the internationally acclaimed Ōra King salmon. Their operations include:

  • Production capacity of 12,000 metric tonnes
  • Specialized focus on Chinook Salmon
  • More than 10 generations of selective breeding expertise
  • Impressive 20.6% profit before tax (PBT)
  • Global leadership in premium salmon production

The challenge

As a premium salmon producer, NZKS faced several key breeding objectives:

  • Adapting to increasing water temperatures and environmental pressures
  • Maintaining high survival rates in sea cages
  • Ensuring consistent harvest sizes for premium markets
  • Sustaining long-term breeding program effectiveness
  • Meeting demanding quality standards for high-end culinary markets

The solution

After an extensive worldwide search, NZKS selected Xelect Ltd to provide:

  • Comprehensive breeding program management
  • Advanced genetic technology to combat environmental challenges
  • Introduction of genomic selection
  • Long-term partnership commitment for program stability

Quantitative achievements

15% increase ​

in sea cage survival

8-13% genetic progress

 in nucleus harvest size

Project timeline

  • 2017: Project initiation
  • 2022: First realization of genetic gains
  • 2024: Successful thermotolerance validation

Qualitative improvements

  • Validated correlation between laboratory thermotolerance and summer mortality
  • Successful implementation across multiple generations

Key innovations

  • Integration of environmental adaptation into breeding goals
  • Successfully validated laboratory-to-field correlation
  • Proven genetic progress in commercially important traits

Commercial success

  • Established profitable customer base
  • Maintained premium market position
  • Successfully integrated advanced genetic technology
  • Demonstrated correlation between laboratory and field performance

“We’re excited about the potential for the new partnership with Xelect. Following a comprehensive review of laboratories and services around the world, Xelect stood out for their experience, professionalism and scientific approach that is essential for our business to continue the development of our premium breed program, delivering our unique Ora King salmon.”

Rene Contreras

Broodstock Manager,
New Zealand King Salmon

“The pristine environment and lack of disease in New Zealand waters coupled with a well-established breeding program provides exciting opportunities to further enhance the quality of this unique product.”

Professor Ian Johnston

Xelect Ltd.

Future implications

The partnership establishes a foundation for:

  • Continued improvement in thermotolerance traits
  • Enhanced survival rates in changing environmental conditions
  • Sustained genetic advancement in growth and quality traits
  • Maintained leadership in premium salmon markets
  • Long-term sustainability of premium salmon production

Build your premium position

 Discover how we help premium producers like New Zealand King Salmon grow their business through advanced genetics. Let’s start the conversation

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