The value of Chilean salmon exports fell 13 percent in the first five months of 2020, likely underlining the effects of lower prices and impacts from the coronavirus pandemic, figures from the Central Bank show.

Exports totaled $1.85 billion (€1.65 billion) from January to May versus $2.13 billion (€1.89 billion) a year earlier, with each month's total lower than in the corresponding period in 2019.

In May, the value of consignments shipped overseas totaled $288 million (€256 million) compared with $329 million (€293 million) in the same month last year, a 12.5 percent decrease.

Chile has managed to maintain exports to its key markets in the United States and Brazil by loading salmon onto cargo planes because passenger aircraft flights , which previously were used to ship salmon, have been impacted by the pandemic.

US retail sales have seen sharp increases, although not enough to offset lost foodservice business.

The collapse in foodservice business has been more noticeable for Chilean salmon producers in Brazil, where sales rely more heavily on out-of-home eating, which as in the US, largely collapsed with the onset of the coronavirus crisis.

Over the past two decades, Chile's salmon exports have exploded from below $1 billion (€892 million) to around $4.6 billion (€4.1 billion) in 2019, fueled by growing global demand.

Exports really began to take off after 2012, more than doubling since then.

Chilean salmon producers continue to closely monitor the Chinese market, with retailers having withdrawn products from the South American country after the discovery two weeks ago of COVID-19 on a chopping board used to cut salmon at a Beijing wholesale seafood market.

Officials at salmon producers trade body SalmonChile were hoping to achieve an early breakthrough in talks with Chinese customs and health authorities and see their countries salmon products return to shelves in stores but so far this has not materialized.

Trade

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