May 6, 2011
 

Chilean salmon exports hit record for the first quarter

 

 

Exports of Chilean salmon from January-March 2011 reached a record value worth US$878.8 million, a figure which represents a rise of 63.8% over the same period in 2010, when revenue totalled US$536.2 million.

 

This figure is considered historic and even exceeds the income received before the crisis experienced by the salmon sector in 2007 due to the spread of salmon infectious anemia (ISA).

 

That year, salmon exports were worth US$713 million, according to the data provided by the consultant Infotrade.

 

According to the report, the increase in the first quarter of this year was achieved due to high prices of the salmon recorded in different market destinations, such as Japan and the US.

 

The data indicates that between January and March 2011, the average price was US$7.12, 19% higher than the same quarter of 2010.

 

Mainstream led salmon shipments abroad in the first three months of this year, with sales of US$100.2 million, 109.1% higher than the same period of 2010.

 

The company that followed was AquaChile, which reported earnings of US$98.3 million in the first quarter of 2011, 35% increase between January and March last year, when US$72.8 million was obtained.

 

In the third place was Multiexport Foods, with earnings of US$68.6 million, 125.3% increase in the first quarter of 2010.

 

In the fourth and fifth places were the companies Los Fiordos, with earnings of US$67.6 million, and Australis Mar, with US$43.1 million respectively.

 

Meanwhile, several companies are getting ready to operate on the Santiago Stock Exchange while Invertec Pesquera Mar de Chiloé (Invermar) and Multiexport Foods have already done so.

 

These companies are AquaChile, having 30% of its property this month, Australis Seafoods having 15%, and Cultivos Yadrán.

 

The Undersecretariat of Fisheries (Subpesca) indicated in the latest Report of the Fishery and Aquaculture Sector in the first two months of 2011, 74,108 tonnes of salmon were harvested, 49% more than in the same period of 2010.