Obstacles both domestic and abroad take toll on Chile’s 2024 salmon exports

“While competitors such as Norway are already charting their path to 2050, Chile has a unique opportunity to lead from the south of the world. Will we take it?”
A Chilean farmer holding a salmon
Salmon-farming companies in Chile are calling on the nation's government to help it achieve more consistent growth | Photo courtesy of Darryl Jory/Global Seafood Alliance
6 Min

Chile’s salmon-farming sector has been voicing concerns over significant environmental and regulatory hurdles as of late, and the challenging situation is beginning to take a toll on the industry, which saw growth stagnate in 2024.

Farmed salmon and trout continued to be the country’s largest non-mining export product in 2024, representing 5.5 percent of total exports for the year. The nation exported 782,076 metric tons (MT) of salmon and trout, bringing in USD 6.37 billion (EUR 6.18 billion), according to the latest figures from Chile’s National Customs Service.

In comparison, Chile exported 774,531 MT in 2023, with a total value of USD 6.46 billion (EUR 6.27 billion), according to the National Customs Service – marking a 1 percent increase in volume and a 1.4 percent drop in value. In 2022, the country sent 751,156 MT abroad worth a total USD 6.59 billion (EUR 6.4 billion) – a respective 3.1 percent increase and 2 percent decrease from 2023.

Chile’s top five export markets in 2024 were the United States, Japan, Brazil, China, and Russia in that order.

Leading the pack, the United States received 235,934 MT of salmon and trout from Chile in 2024, valued at USD 2.58 billion (EUR 2.5 billion). In 2023, shipments to the U.S. reached 253,632 MT worth a total USD 2.8 billion (EUR 2.72 billion) – a respective drop of 6.9 percent and 7.8 percent.

Chile also sent 157,444 MT worth USD 1.08 billion (EUR 1.05 billion) in 2024 to Japan, compared to 137,040 MT at a value of USD 933 million (EUR 906 million) in 2023 – up 14.9 percent and 16.3 percent, respectively.

Brazil was Chile’s most important market in Latin America.,,


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