Chile’s seafood exports continued to expand in the first quarter of 2026, driven by strong salmon performance that compensated for declining shellfish shipments. The United States remained Chile’s largest seafood market, importing $779 million worth of products during the period. The growth in salmon exports helped offset weaknesses in other segments, particularly shellfish, which experienced a downturn. This trade pattern highlights Chile’s continued dependence on the US market for its seafood industry revenue, while also demonstrating the importance of salmon as a key export commodity. The data suggests Chile’s aquaculture sector, especially salmon farming, remains resilient despite challenges in other seafood categories.
Original source: Chile seafood exports expand further in Q1 as salmon offsets shellfish decline