February 17, 2012

 

Chile's salmon exports experience strong growth for 2011

 

 

Chile's salmon exports generated US$2,915 million for 2011, which is 48% more than in 2010, according to figures.

 

In accordance with a report by InfoTrade for Aqua, Japan was considered as the main destination of shipments of Chilean salmon and trout in 2011.

 

In second place was the US, with shipments worth US$704 million which is 58% more than in 2010, followed by Latin America, with exports of salmon for US$414 million, and the EU, for US$113 million.

 

Meanwhile, shipments to Asia reached US$300 million last year, a figure which shows a 96% increase as compared to 2010.

 

The total amount entered in 2011 exceeds levels reached during the best years of the industry when exports amounted to US$2.241 billion in 2007, and US$2.392 billion in 2008.

 

Reports state that the average price for Chilean salmonids reached in different markets increased by 8.7%, from US$6.93 in 2010, to US$7.59 in 2011.

 

"2011, in particular, was the year of recovery. The fish stocked in 2009 are those that were harvested last year. In general, the fall in volume in 2010 and the first half of 2011 made the global price increase", said general manager of the Association of Chilean Salmon Industry AG (SalmonChile), Carlos Odebret.

 

"Therefore, the returns on exports also rose. However, the trend shifted from the second half of 2011 and prices (rose) again. That's why the leap was much higher with respect to 2010", said the salmon leader.

 

The industry expects revenues to keep the trend this year, according to reports.

 

"In 2012, production volumes will increase gradually, so that there will be a significant increase", predicted Odebret.

 

Meanwhile, SeaCorp Seattle President, Alfredo Ovalle, noted that a pound of fresh Atlantic salmon today costs between US$3.65 and US$3.75, a level well below the US$5 mark reached this year.

 

In the case of coho salmon, its price fell 33% since May, when it was traded at US$7 and presently at US$4.50 per pound.

 

Trout, on the other hand, went from US$8 per kilogramme in March 2011, to US$5.30.

 

Salmon farming industry analysts estimated that the recovery of the Chilean salmon industry will materialised in 2013.