MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean salmon industry sales reach 1.7 billion US dollars

Chilean salmon and trout exports totalled 1.7 billion US dollars in 2005, up 20% over 2004, reports the Chilean Salmon Industry Association (SalmonChile). Export volume was 383.700 net tons, representing an 8% jump over the previous year.

Japan was the main market for Chilean salmon having absorbed 37% of total sales equivalent to 638.3 million US dollars. United States ranks second with 605 million (35%); European Union 236.2 million and 14% of sales.

SalmonChile president Carlos Vial Izquierdo said the increase in sale of value added products helped the industry grow and rank as "one of the major world producers". This "has generated an increase in the demand of salmon and trout, which has been favoured by global economic stability and a positive trend for prices during the last months".

Nevertheless Vial Izquierdo said the Chilean salmon industry is facing several challenges such as the low value of the US dollar; distance from markets which has a direct influence in freight and charter costs.

"Our main challenge this year is to keep advancing and show that the Chilean salmon industry is safe and sustainable. The opening of new markets and ending tariff obstacles are some of the difficulties to confront", added SalmonChile's president Vial Izquierdo.

He underlined that by participating in international shows with ProChile and the country's National Fisheries Service (SERNAPESCA), the industry "will continue to promote the reputation of Chile's salmon as a certified quality product, produced through environment friendly and socially responsible practices".

The dynamism of the Chilean industry can be gauged by 110 projects that have been submitted to the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA), which include expansion of current farms, new establishments and fattening lots. It is estimated the industry is planning to reinvest 185 million US dollars approximately this fiscal year. (FIS/MP).-