Success in the Americas masks Eastern downturn

Christian Pérez According to figures from the Association of the Chilean Salmon Industry, SalmonChile, the country exported 247,564 tonnes of salmonids in the first five months of this year. 71,698 tonnes of those exports went to Japan up to May this year, representing a 22.6 per cent decrease compared to the same period of 2013 and a 35.1 per cent decrease compared to the first five months of 2012.

Likewise, the local exports of salmonids to Russia totalled 14,639 tonnes up to May this year, representing a 34.8 per cent decrease compared to the same period of 2013 and a 150 per cent increase compared to the first five months of 2012. In contrast, the shipments of salmonids to the US totalled 60,975 tonnes up to May this year, representing a 13 per cent increase compared to the same period of 2013 and 48.8 per cent increase compared to the first five months of 2012. A similar situation was experienced by those exports to Brasil and the category ‘other markets’, which totalled 37,213 tonnes and 37,135 tonnes up to May this year, respectively. These results show a 12.1 per cent increase compared to the same period of 2013 and 42.3 per cent increase compared to the first five months of 2012.  

Overall, exports of Atlantic salmon have increased in 2014 compared to previous years, while exports of Coho salmon and trout have decreased.