Chile to recapture salmon market

Although Norweigan salmon exports tripled last year, SalmonChile President Cesar Barros said that Chile will compete and will assert its position as the second largest producer of salmon worldwide - despite the continuing infectious salmon anemia (ISA) crisis.

Barros said that Chile is prepared to fight Norway for the US market, the most important market for Atlantic salmon.

He said that the delay in the Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture would result in a lot of investment and credit outstanding. Companies will limit investment and capital expenditure until there is a legal system in place which gives them security.

Speaking on the current high prices, Barros warns producers that prices may not always stay this high, as the current price reflects the low production in Chile.

In 2010, Barros predicts that production will fall due to less plantings last year. He hopes to see growth in the second half of the year and strong production in 2011. However, he says he does not expect these levels of production to reach normal 2007 levels.