February 21, 2007

Chile's 2006 salmon and trout exports up 28 percent on-year

Chile exported a record US$2.21 billion's worth of salmon and trout in 2006, a 28 percent increase from the previous year, Valor Futuro local newswire reported Monday (Feb 19).

The US was the main destination for the exports, with imports of fresh and frozen fish fillets, steaks, and other Atlantic salmon cuts totalling US$792 million. This represented a 31 percent increase from the salmon and trout exports sent to the US in 2005, the newswire reported, citing industry group Salmon Chile.

Japan was the second-largest market, receiving exports totalling US$704 million, a 10 percent year-on-year increase. Japan imported mostly trout and Coho salmon products.

The European Union was the third most important destination, receiving US$308 million in mostly frozen Atlantic salmon.

Chile mainly exports Atlantic and Coho salmon, according to Salmon Chile, which groups 60 different firms, including exporters, suppliers and labs.

In 2005, the country's salmon and trout exports reached a then record US$1.72 billion, up 20 percent from the previous year.

Chilean salmon and trout exporters trail Norway as the world's top volume exporters.