Market sought for bigger salmon
Chile's increased salmon biomass has had a negative impact on market prices, and producers have also been struggling to find a suitablle market for their larger fish.
"It's a challenge that our companies must address. We hope they consolidate more and improve their marketing capacity," said the general manager of SalmonChile, Felipe Manterola, in interview with El Llanquihue.
Given that markets like the United States are not used to receiving large salmon, Mr Manterola suggests producers look towards Chinese and Russian alternatives.
During 2014, the mortality rate for Atlantic salmon reached 6.4 per cent of the biomass, down from 9.5% in 2013. Meannwhile, salmon averaged 4 kg per smolt last year, 500 grams more than in 2013.
A decline in the mortality rate and a new production model, which involves the creation of ‘neighborhoods’, as well as more effective measures to prevent and control disease, seem to be the reasons for this increase in size.
In addition, Manterola said that "in the past two years, a similar amount of fish was stocked compared to previous years. The biomass increase is the result of fewer mortalities and an improved sanitary performance. The salmon producing companies waited a little longer before harvesting, obtaining larger harvest weights, which provide improved effectiveness and efficiency to the production process.”
