The Salmon Council refers to the decrease in exports

Chilean salmon exports fell by 3.1% during the third quarter, reflecting a contraction for the second consecutive period.

A reduction of 3.1%, equivalent to 5,600 tonnes (t), experienced Chilean salmon exports during the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period of the previous year, according to data from the "Export Monitoring Report" prepared by the Chilean Salmon Council. (Director of Salmon farming), group that brings together the companies AquaChile, Australis, Cermaq, Mowi and Aysen Salmonsrepresentatives of more than half of the national production.

The figures, extracted from official information of the National Customs Service (SNA), they reveal that -by species- it is observed that the Atlantic salmon (Atlantic salmon) continues with the same downward trend as the previous quarter, registering in the last period analyzed a 9% reduction in the volume exported, which is equivalent to a fall of 13,000 t. Of this decrease, 10,000 t corresponds to the frozen whole cut.

In the meantime, Pacific salmon (Coho salmon), also known as coho, had positive figures, as it achieved the highest export in tons recorded in the Q3 (third quarter), with 26,000 t, a 30% more the same period of 2023. The rainbow trout (Rainbow trout) also registered a 13 per cent increase when comparing equal quarters (9,856 tons versus 11,351).

"Stacking"

The Executive Director of the CdS, Loreto Seguel, pointed to the stagnation of the salmon farming industry, of which Chile is the Second producer worldwide, with negative figures in addition to those in the first half of 2024. 

"Today salmon farming represents the second most important exporting industry in the country, which not only boosts economic activity and the well-being of southern-eastern families, but also creates a extensive value chain in the ecosystem of entrepreneurs in the regions of Los Lagos, Aysén and Magellan. The downside indicators we see in recent periods are a very bad news that reduces our competitiveness at a global level. Today Chilean salmon farming has all the productive conditions and technological advances to become the world leader, but it needs to be assumed that we are facing a cross country, facing a challenge where public-private collaboration is key and where we all have to sit at the table to work for project it and develop it in a sustainable way," he argued.

17% of non-mining exports

In terms of exports according to salmon types, the increase in the export volume of coho was also reflected in the return, reaching US$ 182 million, representing an increase of 40% compared to the same period of the previous year.

In contrast, exports of Atlantic salmon decreased by 10%, aligning with the reduction in tons (-9%). For its part, the value of trout increased by 19 per cent.

The report states that despite the decrease in volume and millions of dollars of Atlantic salmon, its fresh format continues to represent the 50% of shipments of this species.

At present, salmon exports are leading largely among non-mining products, with a recovery of more than US$1,400 million during the third quarter of 2024. Compared to other key sectors, such as cellulose (US$ 849 million FOB) and wood (US$ 623 million FOB), salmon retains a significant advantage, with the main generator FOB value in this period (the term free on board, FOB, refers to the net price of a product, excluding the export costs associated with its shipment).

Maintaining competitiveness

Loreto Seguel reiterated the importance of maintaining the country's international competitiveness by considering key markets as United States -the most important for Chilean salmon exports-, Brazil and Japan, with the latter highlighting in terms of growth, with an increase of 19,343 tons in 2023 to 25,236 tons in 2024.

"Chilean salmon came to 64 different markets during the period analyzed, and annually we reach more than 100 countries. We are talking about a Chilean product of high quality, versatile and also able to adapt to different logistic solutions such as sea, air and land transport. As if that were not enough, salmon is from animal proteins. more sustainable and is part of the activity that the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) blue transformation, that is, the food potential that this activity has to solve the food crisis of the planet. Without a doubt, a tremendous opportunity. of positioning and growth for Chile that we can not miss", concluded the helmman of the CdS.

*Receivables from the featured photo (in context): Partnerfish - Aquaculture Directory - Seafood Chile.