Farmed salmon exports set to break records for British Columbia

Exports of farm-raised salmon from British Columbia to key Asian markets are on pace to set and break records in 2016, according to the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association.

Annual volumes of previous years are already being eclipsed, recently released data from Stats Canada, which deals with the time period between January and May 2016, indicate. 

“Boosting B.C. exports to Asia is a point of pride for communities and First Nations that work in and support the salmon farm industry,” said Jeremy Dunn, executive director for the association. “We recently hosted 30 international buyers at the B.C. Seafood Festival in June, so it’s great to see our sustainable, healthy product on more plates in Asia.”

Some of the most rapidly expanding markets for British Columbia farm-raised salmon have been Taiwan and South Korea, but sales across Asia have trended strong, he said. The U.S. and China remain B.C. primary export markets.

“Overall our sales to Asia are doing very well, thanks in part to excellent quality and B.C.'s strategic location, which allows us to get fresh salmon to market in half the time than any other major salmon producing country,” said Nick DiCarlo, sales manager for Cermaq Canada. “There is a strong global demand for salmon and we can boost B.C.’s exports further if provided the opportunity to carefully grow the industry.”

“As a global producer we have the advantage of having our own sales team living in the region and this, along with excellent air logistics, has helped us to quickly reach the right customers,” said Dave Mergle, managing director for Ocean Quality North America. “Our customers really like farmed salmon from British Columbia and we see much future growth ahead.”

Export details and specifics are as follows, as listed by the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association:

  • Exports to Japan are on pace to double in 2016, with farmers already reaching 97 percent of the total export volume for 2015.
  • Exports to Taiwan for 2016 have already exceeded the 2015 total.
  • Exports to South Korea are up 10-fold over 2015 numbers, with over 29,000 kg exported so far this year.
  • B.C. exported a record 54.4 million kilograms of farm-raised salmon to 11 countries in 2015
  • Key markets such as China and the United States are on par or ahead of 2015 exports.
  • China is now B.C.’s second most important market, next to the United States; the U.S. has historically been the sector’s primary export market and remains so.

Currently, salmon aquaculture in British Columbia is responsible 5,000 jobs in the region, with a total economic impact of CAD 1.1 billion (USD 843 million, EUR 752 million). In addition, salmon farmers in the region have committed to working with coastal First Nations, enacting 20 economic impact benefit agreements so far, which account for nearly 78 percent of all salmon raised in British Columbia.

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