Chilean salmonid exports were worth $4.5bn in first eight months of 2026

Chilean salmon and trout exports increased in both volume and overall revenue during the first eight months of 2026, figures from the monthly Comex statistics report, prepared by the Studies Department of the National Customs Service, show.

Between January and August of this year, 557,532 tonnes of salmon and trout were exported, valued at US $4.491 billion (£3.36bn), an increase compared to the same period last year, when 497,802 tonnes were shipped for $4.199bn. These figures represent a 12% increase in volume and a 6.97% increase in revenue, indicating slightly lower achieved prices per kilo.

An upward trend was also observed when comparing August with the previous month. Last month, 62,747 tonnes were exported for $525 million, compared to 53,850 tonnes for $450m recorded in July, representing increases of 16.52% in volume and 16.5% in revenue.

Markets

The performance of the main markets for Chilean salmon was mostly positive for the first eight months of 2026. China, Japan, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil registered increases compared to the same period of the previous year, while Russia continued to show declining figures.

Between January and August, 29,757 tonnes of salmonids were shipped to China for a value of $176 million, representing a growth of 72.18% in volume and 55.85% in returns compared to the same period in 2025, when 17,282 tonnes were exported for $113m.

The United States remains the primary destination for Chilean salmon, with 178,126 tonnes exported for $1.818bn between January and the end of August. Shipments increased by 8.89% in volume and 3.25% in revenue compared to the same period in 2025, when they reached 162,091 tonnes for $1.761bn. This performance occurred despite Chilean salmon being subject to a 12.5% tariff surcharge imposed by the administration of US president Donald Trump, a levy that increased from 10% and has prompted the Chilean government and the export sector to seek new exemptions for Chilean products.

Japan, a big market for coho salmon, also showed positive figures again during the period analysed. Chile shipped 88,494 tonnes for $687m, with increases of 8.69% in volume and 7.68% in revenue compared to the same period last year, when 81,417 tonnes were exported for $638m.

Brazil maintained its position as one of the strategic Latin American markets for Chilean salmon. Between January and August, 112,150 tonnes were exported for $681m, figures that represent increases of 12.18% in volume and 12.75% in value compared to the same period in 2025, when 99,970 tonnes were recorded for $604m.

Sales to Russia fall

In contrast to the performance of the other destinations analysed, Russia continued to show a contraction in its purchases. Customs data indicate that between January and August 2026, 21,000 tonnes were exported for $142m, a 30.96% decrease in volume and a 35.84% decrease in revenue compared to the same period in 2025, when shipments reached 30,417 tonnes for $222m.

Mexico, another important market for Chilean salmon in Latin America, also registered positive results. Between January and August, 13,776 tonnes were shipped for $137m, representing increases of 13.2% in volume and 7.44% in revenue compared to the same period in 2025, when 12,169 tonnes were exported for $127m.