The 13th edition of the main meeting point for aquaculture brings together more than 550 exhibitors from 34 countries, consolidating Chile as a power in the production of quality food and sustainable protein, and reinforcing the strategic role of the sector for the country's development.

With the presence of the President of the Republic, José Antonio Kast, the former president Eduardo Frei, the governor of the Los Lagos Region and honorary president of Aquasur, Alejandro Santana, and other authorities such as the mayor of Puerto Montt, Rodrigo Wainraihgt, the mayor of Puerto Varas, Tomás Gárate, ambassadors, national and regional authorities, trade groups and representatives from the business and academic world, Aquasur 2026 was inaugurated, the most important aquaculture fair in the southern hemisphere.

At the opening ceremony of the fair, and in front of representatives from the sector, the President of the Republic highlighted the growth of salmon farming. "No public policy could match what you have done over these 40 years," he said. "But for the private system to work, we need a State that collaborates, and we are willing to collaborate," he stated.

The President also highlighted the potential of the national aquaculture industry, without neglecting care for the environment. According to him, "there are more than 100 countries where we can sell our product. All that is because the world continues to grow and there is a need for a healthy, nutritious protein, which is produced with increasing environmental commitment."

The CEO of GL events Chile and Executive Director of FISA, Francisco Sotomayor, thanked the presence of the Head of State at the inauguration and highlighted the strategic value that aquaculture currently has for the economic and social development of Chile. "This is the first time we have the privilege of having the presence of the highest authority of our country and their participation reflects the strategic relevance that aquaculture has today for the "development of Chile", stated.

Sotomayor also highlighted the leap that the fair has had: “Historically, we have been the second largest aquaculture fair in the world, and today we have the honor not only to say that we have the largest Aquasur in history in Chile, but today, with more than 550 exhibitors deployed in this version 2026, we are becoming the number 1 in the world.”

He added that this event is "the main meeting point for aquaculture, a platform where 34 countries come together, where more than 1,800 brands are displayed, and where Chile projects itself to the world as a power in the production of quality food and sustainable protein."

 Sotomayor highlighted aquaculture’s contribution to Chile’s economy. In 2025 the industry produced more than 1.5 million tonnes. Salmon was firmly established as Chile’s second-largest export product, worth more than 6,500 million dollars, and the industry supported more than 86,000 jobs.

In this context, Alejandro Santana, governor of the Los Lagos Region and honorary president of Aquasur 2026, took the opportunity to underline the public-private alliance, in which also the workers of the industry have an essential participation.

The future of salmon farming is at stake in innovation, public and private articulation, and long-term vision. Today, from the Los Lagos Region we must say clearly that there is an industry here that has built development in just over four decades. Here is a territory that has changed its history thanks to work, investment and innovation. Here is a firm conviction that salmon farming is not just part of our present. Here is a strategic opportunity for the future of Chile.

International Congress and Space for Innovation

In parallel to the exhibition, Aquasur 2026 develops a high-level international congress, with 6 panels and 57 national and international rapporteurs that will address productive sustainability, technological and biotechnology innovation, human health and animal welfare, governance, international standards and global cooperation, under a common concept of public-private, scientific-industrial and international dialogue in the sector.

The fair is once again strongly committed to innovation and entrepreneurship with an area dedicated especially to SMEs, where 26 selected startups participate in the contest “Take off your entrepreneurship”, an instance that seeks to enhance and make visible technological solutions for aquaculture and connect entrepreneurs with large companies and decision makers.

Following the traditional film cut, the authorities and the marching party toured various pavilions and stands of national and international exhibitors, officially taking Aquasur 2026's activities in the Los Lagos Region.