February 1, 2023

 

Chilean salmon exports increased 3.8% in 2022

 

A report by the Chilean Salmon Council has showed that country's salmon and trout exports reached a total of 751,259 tonnes in 2022, 3.8% higher compared to 2021, Fish Information & Services reported.

The data, based on information from the country's Central Bank and the National Customs Service, showed the value of salmon and trout exports in 2022 totaled US$6.606 million, or 27.3% higher compared to 2021.

 

Members of the council include AquaChile, Australis, Cermaq, Mowi and Salmones Aysén, which together represent about 52% of Chilean salmon production.

 

Loreto Seguel, executive director of the Chilean Salmon Council, said the annual growth of the tonnes of Chilean salmon exported to the world has been moderate and this is due to a limited growth of salmon harvests in Chile.

 

Sequel said the country's 2022 export figures are an opportunity to improve regulatory frameworks and thus encourage investment in the industry, while ensuring competitiveness and environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

 

According to data from the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), the annual variation of tonnes exported averaged 2.6% from 2015 to 2022, while annual harvests grew at a rate of 1.3% per year on average during that time period.

 

Considering only the regions of Los Lagos and Aysén - because production in Magallanes is more recent - the salmon harvest decreased by an annual average of 0.5% between 2015 and 2021.

 

The report also indicates that the growth curve of both harvested and exported tonnes has stabilised in recent years, which is explained by a number of factors, including the current regulatory framework that governs the activity, maximum planting densities and administrative processes for renewal and approval of concessions, and other productive challenges that the industry must address, such as investment in R&D and innovation.

 

Concerning the 27.3% increase in the dollar value of salmon and trout exports in 2022, the Chilean Salmon Council notes that the disparity in growth between tonnes exported and dollar valuation accounts for better prices in the international market in 2021 and 2022. This is explained by several factors, including a higher valuation of Chilean salmon in the world, an increase in demand, an increase in international food prices, and an increase in the cost of inputs.

 

-      Fish Information & Services