Chile salmonid exports down 13% in 2009

Chilean exports of salmonids totalled US$2,029.5 million 2009, down 12.6% from US$2,322 million in the previous year.

This is the first inter-annual drop in years and it is directly caused by the ISA virus and lower foreign demand.

The country exported 360,700 tonnes of salmonids in 2009, down 17% on-year, according to a study by the Chilean General Directorate of International Economic Relations (DIRECON).

The lower salmon production in Chile has driven up prices, while unitary value of salmon exports increased 5.6% on-year in 2009, said the study.