The president of SalmonChile, Patricio Melero, carried out an intense work schedule in the area, which included visits to processing plants, meetings with workers, industry meetings and participation in a sustainability forum.
With the aim of strengthening the link with one of the most relevant territories for the salmon farming value chain, the president of SalmonChile, Patricio Melero, made a tour of the Biobío Region. During the event, the industry's top authority highlighted the socio-economic impact of the sector, which now establishes the region as the main gateway for Chilean salmon to international markets.
The agenda started on Tuesday in the Province of Concepción, where Melero moved to Talcahuano to visit Blumar's facilities. At the site, he held a meeting with the management team to analyze operational challenges, and later shared a tour of the processing plant with the workers. The day continued in Tomé, with a visit to Camanchaca, where the dialogue dynamic with the teams was repeated. technicians and workers, highlighting the commitment of the local workforce in the production of high quality products.
"Biobío is not just a strategic neighbor, it is the logistical and industrial heart of our activity. In these visits we have been able to confirm the high standard of our plants and, above all, the commitment of the more than 2,300 men and women in this region who make it possible for salmon to reach the tables of the whole world," said the president of SalmonChile.
Export leadership and regional development
The Biobío Region plays a fundamental role in the production chain. According to industry data, 52.5% of national shipments of salmon products are carried out from the ports of this region, representing 49.4% of the total FOB value exported, exceeding US $2,556 million.
With 13 fish farms, 2 processing plants and 3 feed and valorisation plants, the productive activity generates 2,384 direct jobs in the region. A relevant milestone is gender equity, as 44% of these jobs are held by women, consolidating the sector as a driver of female employability in the area.
Sustainability and institutional linkages
During today, the tour took on an institutional and academic character. Melero held a working meeting with the Chamber of Production and Commerce (CPC) Biobío, in order to align agendas on industrial development and regional competitiveness.
Subsequently, the union leader participated as an exhibitor in the 2nd Postgraduate Summit of the University of Development (UDD), in the Sustainability panel. Before students and academics, he addressed how salmon farming is integrating artificial intelligence and new geopolitical balances to face the challenges of the future, always under a look of environmental respect and public sense.
Finally, the president of SalmonChile closed his visit with an interview in the program Code Chile, led by Francisco Ibieta, where he deepened the importance of public-private collaboration to maintain Chile's leadership as the second world salmon producer.
“Our presence in the region, through nine companies, reaffirms that we are a productive network that connects southern Chile with the world, dynamizing the local economy and fostering constant innovation,” concluded Melero.
