High hopes for 2017
High salmon prices across all markets have been predicted for at least the first three quarters of the year by Arturo Clément, director and founder of DataSalmon.
2016 was characterized by a year of high prices for Chilean salmon in their main markets, and by the increased profitability of salmon farming firms listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange. Clément, who has more than 30 years of experience in the salmon industry, told Salmonexpert.cl that all markets will be good this year too.
“If the supply projections are analysed, limited growth is predicted in both Chile and Norway. This has been reflected in the price hike during the first weeks of 2017, especially in the USA and Japan, while in Norway the price of salmon remains very high,” he said.
The director of DataSalmon explained that Chilean producers can look forward to a period of high prices, at least until the end of the third quarter.
"For structural reasons, there are many areas in Chile that are due to harvest in the fourth quarter, which will cause prices to level off towards the end of this year, although they will remain high. We will go through a good price cycle in the North American, Brazilian and Japanese markets," he predicted.
On possible factors that could affect the price and stability of the salmon farming industry, such as legislative changes, natural phenomena or climatic changes, Clément said that no further changes are expected in terms of stocking numbers and densities.
"The only thing that could exert a major influence would be a new bloom of algae, but new legislation is unlikely," he concluded
