Near future potential of Chile’s aquaculture sector

Kate Casey

Today 87% of Chile’s aquaculture sector is comprised of salmon, an industry currently capable of generating US$ 2.4 billion per year. The Boston Consulting Group, contracted by the National Commission for Innovation, recently released a report on the identification of the fastest growing economic sectors in Chile. Aquaculture is clearly one of the sectors identified as a motor of economic growth, especially for the country’s southern regions. According to La Segunda, the Boston Consulting group calculates that Chile’s aquaculture exports should reach US$ 5.3 billion by the year 2015, with primary aquaculture species being salmon and mussels.