Salmonids made up 29% of Chile's food export earnings last year
Sector generated more than US $6.5bn from foreign sales
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Chilean salmonid exports were worth US $6.549 billion (£4.87bn) last year, according to industry body SalmonChile’s latest export bulletin (in Spanish).
The sector accounted for approximately 29% of the value of food exports, which equates to 15% of Chile's non-mining shipments and 6% of the value of all Chilean exports (including mining) in 2025, reports Fish Farming Expert's Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl.
The value of Chile’s exports grew by 8% year-on-year, while the value of salmon and trout exports increased by 3%, maintaining the salmonid sector’s position as Chile's second-largest export, behind copper and ahead of important sectors such as wine ($1.536bn), lithium ($2.366bn), and forestry and cellulose ($5.873bn).
In 2025, Chile and Norway accounted for 77% of global salmon production , with shares of 30.5% and 46.4% respectively, according to figures from analyst Kontali. While Norway increased its harvest by 12% year-on-year, Chile registered even greater growth of 14%.
Atlantic salmon accouted for 72% of Chile’s salmonid exports, followed by coho salmon at 23%, and rainbow trout (5%).
In terms of volume, Atlantic salmon exports grew by 6% year-on-year, while coho salmon exports increased by 3%.
Fresh Atlantic salmon fillets were the main export format, accounting for 25% of the salmonid sector’s foreign exchange earnings, followed by frozen Atlantic fillets at 18%.
US market
The United States consolidated its position as the main market for Chilean salmon, accounting for 40% of exports by value, followed by Japan with 17%, and Brazil with 13%.
Exports to the US market were worth $2.399bn, representing a 6% increase in volume and a 1% increase in value, driven primarily by fresh Atlantic salmon fillets. Exports to Japan increased in value by 11% to $1.044bn, led by demand for frozen coho salmon.
Exports to Brazil increased in volume but fell in total value to $796 million last year. Volume was up by 2%, and value down by 6%, reflecting greater pressure on prices. This trend highlighted the structural differences between markets, particularly those highly dependent on whole fresh Atlantic salmon, the predominant format in the Brazilian market.
Earnings from Russia up 43%
Other destinations showed contrasting performances, reinforcing the interpretation of a more volatile trade environment. Russia, which remains boycotted by European producers because of its war against Ukraine, stood out with a 43% increase in value, reaching $287m, driven by shipments of whole frozen Atlantic salmon.
China, in contrast, increased export volume by 2%, but registered an 8% drop in value, reflecting price adjustments and changes in demand for fresh formats.
These differences between markets were closely linked to the evolution of international prices, especially in the US. In this context, the US market once again acted as a benchmark for price formation, setting trends that affected all destinations and influenced the value of exports throughout the year.
During 2025, according to UrnerBarry data, the average annual price of fresh Atlantic salmon fillets in the United States was $5.79 per pound, representing a 3.2% year-over-year decrease. Despite this adjustment, the market managed to establish a floor above $5/lb, with signs of recovery toward the end of the year, confirming a scenario of tighter prices but with greater structural stability.
