Chile earned more from less during year-long salmon price recovery
Chilean salmonid farmers exported 8% less salmon and trout last year than in 2020 but made 18% more revenue from overseas sales as prices returned to pre-Covid levels.
Figures from the Department of Studies of the National Customs Service show that Chile exported 723,000 tonnes of salmonids worth US $5.189 billion last year.
In 2020, when prices were hit hard by the pandemic’s impact on society, Chile exported 779,000 tonnes of salmon for returns of $4.338 bn.
Progressive increases
According to the “Quarterly Report on Salmon Exports” prepared by the Salmon Council, which represents Chile’s biggest salmon farmers, there was a progressive recovery in salmon exports throughout 2021. Although in the first quarter export earnings fell 2.6% year on year, in the second and third quarters there were increases of 11.6% and 33.4%. The value of salmon and trout exports reached $1.549 bn in Q4 2021, 37.5% more than in the same quarter of the previous year.
The United States remained the biggest customer for Chilean salmonids last year, buying 239,576 tonnes worth $2.281 bn. Volume was up 7% from the 222,534 tonnes exported to the US in 2020, and the value was up 33% from $1.706 bn.
Japan bought 159,497 tonnes of Chilean salmonids worth $1.032 bn in 2021, compared to 184,698 tonnes worth $1.022 bn in 2020.
More to Brazil
Chile exported 127,293 tonnes of salmonids worth $667 million to Brazil last year, an increase of 4% in volume and 63% in value compared to the 121,921 tonnes exported for $408 m in 2020.
Shipments to Russia totalled 50,688 tonnes worth $291 m, 18% lower in volume and 3% lower in value than in 2020, when Chile exported 61,562 tonnes of salmon and trout for $300 m.
Salmonid exports to China amounted to 16,089 tonnes worth $102 m, 48% less in terms of volume and 23% less in value compared to 2020 when 30,344 tons were exported for $134 m.
The Salmon Council attributed the rise in overall export value in 2021 to a recovery in demand, after the sharp fall registered during 2020. Additionally, in Brazil, sales have been expanded to new regions.
Good prospects
The Council said there are good prospects for Chilean salmon exports in 2022, subject to Covid being controlled to allow the foodservice sector to continue its recovery and the continued growth of new distribution channels, such as online and retail sales.
“The results of 2021 confirm the consolidation of the recovery in Chilean salmon exports to the world after a very complex 2020 for everyone and where salmon farming, whose main sales channel is restaurants and hotels, was also affected,” said Salmon Council executive president Joanna Davidovich.
“Thanks to the protocols implemented by the companies and the responsibility of the workers, we were able to continue operating during the pandemic and the recovery showed a solid demand for salmon from external markets, which allows us to close the year 2021 with significant growth and higher levels to those registered before the Covid.”
