US farmed salmon imports continue their steady climb
While volume fell in the first five months of 2017 compared to last year, the dollar amount is steadily increasing.
Salmon imports into the United States are becoming more valuable: While volume rose by just 0.2 percent for the first five months of 2017 compared to last year, the value jumped by more than 27 percent, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
The US imported 152,070 metric tons of salmon during January through May of this year, compared to 151,693 during that time last year.
However, this year's imports were valued at $1.6 billion (€1.4 billion), compared to $1.26 billion (€1.1 billion) last year.
The trend was on par with that salmon coming from Chile, the largest importer of farmed fresh Atlantic salmon fillets.
Volume of fresh Atlantic salmon fillets from Chile actually fell by 8.3 percent during January to May of this year compared to last year, landing at 38,814 metric tons.
However, the value rose considerably, by 26.8 percent, to reach $485.9 million (€426.1 million).
Fresh Atlantic salmon from Canada, the largest importer in the second-largest category, followed suit, albeit to a less dramatic degree.
Imports fell 17 percent by volume to 27,561 metric tons but rose 2.2 percent in volume to $228.6 million (€200.5 million).
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