The Chilean salmon farming industry is facing a significant blow as the new tariff policy of President Donald Trump is expected to impact Southern Chile with a loss of US$1.050 billion. According to a study by the Universidad San Sebastián and SalmonChile, 42% of Chilean salmon exports are sent to the US, accounting for 55% of the American salmon market. This new tariff could potentially reduce salmon exports by US$571 million, with a further decrease of US$53 million due to slower global growth, totaling a loss of US$623 million in exports.
Meanwhile, in a bid to boost fruit exports to the US, authorities from the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), representatives of the Coquimbo Regional Government, and Frutas de Chile visited the Fresh Fruit Inspection Center in Cabrero, Biobío region. The aim is to replicate the successful model developed in Cabrero that has significantly enhanced fruit exports to the US.
Positive export figures have been reported by ProChile Magallanes. Non-copper and non-lithium exports from the Magallanes region reached US$366 million during the first quarter of 2025, marking a 42.6% growth compared to the same period in the previous year. Despite the complex international trade context, these figures bring optimism and reassurance to many local companies relying on exports.
However, the Chilean dairy exports have seen a downturn, with a drop of 8.3% in the first quarter of 2025. This negative trend reflects unfavorable figures due to decreased demand from key markets such as the United Arab Emirates and Colombia, although this has been partially offset by an increase in markets like Brazil and Peru.
ProChile Los Lagos has reinforced its export agenda with a focus on the aquaculture sector during the 2025 Regional Export Council. The session brought together major guilds from the aquaculture sector, aiming to coordinate public-private actions to boost regional exports. The agenda projects Chile's presence at Expo Osaka 2025, where the "Sea Week" will be celebrated from June 2 to 7.
Source:
- El sur de Chile se verá impactado en US$1.050 millones por aranceles a la salmonicultura (Salmonexpert.cl)
- Autoridades visitan sitio de inspección de fruta en Cabrero para replicar modelo en la región - El Ovallino - Pasion por el Limarí (Elovallino.cl)
- ProChile Magallanes: Exportaciones: 42,6%: primer trimestre (Aqua.cl)
- Agricultura en clima extremo: Magallanes busca autoabastecerse e incluso exportar (Prochile.gob.cl)
- Las exportaciones lácteas chilenas caen 8,3% en el primer trimestre - Diario Lechero (Diariolechero.cl)
- ProChile refuerza agenda exportadora con foco acuÃcola en sesión del Consejo Regional de Los Lagos - RadioSago 94.5 Osorno y 96.5 Puerto Montt (Radiosago.cl)