Chilean salmon and trout export values rebounded strongly to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2021

Data released by the Chilean Salmon Commission shows that despite a 7.1% year-on-year decline in exports, the export value of Chilean salmon and trout grew stronger in 2021 than in 2020 due to higher average prices.

This is also a 1% increase compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic affected world trade flows. "As a result, while exports fell 2.9% year-on-year in the first quarter, they grew 11.3% in the second quarter, 33.5% in the third quarter and 37.8% in the fourth quarter compared to the same period in 2020, and are well above the same period last year.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that the year-on-year decline in exports reflects the impact of the pandemic, with farmers raising fewer fish, which led to a decline in the harvest during the year. In addition, the monthly data also shows that from the second quarter of 2021, the export value has rebounded rapidly, showing levels even higher than in the months before the pandemic.

Export values for April, May and June 2021 increased by 2%, 12% and 25%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Export values also increased by 46%, 49% and 20% in October, November and December 2021, respectively. In addition, the data shows that export values for November 2021 and December 2021 have recovered to their highest levels since January 2019.

Salmon is the main export market

According to customs data, the main markets for Chilean salmon and trout are the United States, Japan, Brazil, Russia and Mexico, which together account for more than 85% of exports in 2021. The remaining 15% are mainly sold to China, Thailand, Israel and Canada.

The data shows that more Chilean salmon are flowing to the United States and Brazil, and the current figures have exceeded pre-COVID levels. Exports to the U.S. totaled $239,576 at $2.28 billion compared to 2020, with volumes and values up 7.7% and 33.7% respectively, primarily due to a strong recovery in shipments since February.

The Salmon Commission said: "The increase in shipments to the U.S. reflects high demand for Chilean salmon throughout the year, driven by the reopening of foodservice channels and greater consolidation of retail sales. ”

"This situation has also pushed up prices, which have remained high throughout the year." In addition, exports to Brazil in 2021 were 17,293 tonnes, worth US$668 million, up 4.4% and 63.5% year-on-year. This increase is in response to a recovery in demand after a sharp decline in 2020, as well as increased sales in new regions where salmon consumption is becoming increasingly prominent.

Exports to Japan were 159,498 tonnes worth $1.03 billion, down 13.6 percent in volume but up 1 percent year-over-year, while exports to Russia were flat with 2020, with exports totalling $50,689 at $292 million in 2021. On the other hand, due to COVID and China's epidemic prevention policies, the market share of Chilean salmon in China continues to decline. In 2019, China accounted for 5.3% of Chilean salmon exports, but this proportion fell by 3.1% in 2020 and 2% in 2021.

Chile's exports to Mexico ranked fifth after surpassing China, growing by 78.3% and 35.5% respectively to 24,438 tonnes worth US$141 million through 2021.