July 26, 2012

Chile salmon and trout exports reach US$1,613 million in the January-June period of 2012, a rise of 12.5% over the same period in 2011, according to the National Customs Service of Chile.

This increase was boosted by Atlantic salmon sales, which grew by 25% in the first six months of the year: they generated revenues of FOB US$1,071 million, against US$857 million in the first half of last year.

In contrast, trout sales fell by 6%: the value of shipments was US$542 million while in the first half of 2011, they had been sold for US$577 million.

Some Chilean entrepreneurs attributed this decline to the drop in the value of trout in the Japanese market, where it has reached its lowest level since 2001.

They explain that the increase in Chilean production of Pacific salmon (coho) affected the value of this product and also that of trout.

According to a salmon entrepreneur quoted by the newspaper, La Tercera, "both in the case of coho salmon as well as in that of trout, there is a common strategy among the producers who try to sell as much as possible outside Japan."

He also added that Russia could be an alternative market despite being considered "a dangerous one."

During the first six months of 2012, Japan accounted for 68% of Chilean trout exports.

Meanwhile, the price of salmon is still experiencing falls, and this affects the profitability of those companies in the sector.

The US market bought 34% of Chilean salmon, and the Japanese one purchased 36%.