Salmones Itata undaunted by national industry crises
Salmones Itata began in October of 2006 as a spin-off company from the 50 year-old family owned business, Pesquera Itata. With less than two years in operation, the company is currently processing its first harvest of steelhead trout, and putting US$ 40 million into ten more salmon farms in the Aysén Region. Through this investment Salmones Itata expects to generate US$ 95 million by the end of 2009. According to an interview in the Diario Financiero, the company’s general manager Gerardo Balbontín is not concerned about the possible spread of the ISA virus near these new farms. Although he recognizes that “anything can happen” as far as current investment risk in the national salmon industry (fish health, earthquakes, fall of the dollar, rise of production costs), Balbontín is confident that the specific geographical area within the Aysén Region where his farms are located, will provide a natural barrier from any risk of contamination.
