Why did AquaBounty's revenue costs surge in Q4 2023?

AquaBounty's revenue, cost, and net income YoY growth rates for Q4 2023 are as follows:

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Net Income YoY|Total Revenue YoY|Cost of Goods Sold YoY|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|AQB|AQB.O|AquaBounty Technologies|2022 Q4|-0.019429408213844118|7.96442167261235|16.727349293059333|186|
|AQB|AQB.O|AquaBounty Technologies|2023 Q1|-26.886065489425686|-58.68170625445928|8.656191519954575|186|
|AQB|AQB.O|AquaBounty Technologies|2023 Q2|-17.570386929867947|-26.29470153481424|16.638595787337398|186|
|AQB|AQB.O|AquaBounty Technologies|2023 Q3|-12.83032546850469|12.197290613254324|16.42113113848295|186|

The increase in cost of sales and the decrease in total revenue compared to the previous year can be attributed to several factors:

1. **Market Conditions and Prices**: The decline in market prices for Atlantic salmon had a significant impact on AquaBounty's Q3 results. Despite exceeding planned output at its Indiana farm, the company's revenues were affected by the pricing pressures in the market.
2. **Geopolitical Factors**: The company's expansion into international markets, such as Brazil, comes with challenges and uncertainties that can impact financial performance. The approval to sell GE Atlantic salmon in Brazil was a significant achievement, but the transition and market adaptation may have incurred additional costs.

In conclusion, AquaBounty's revenue costs surge in Q4 2023 due to the decline in market prices for Atlantic salmon and the expansion into international markets.