Dossier Seafood Inglés

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Chile returns to Seafood Expo Global 2023, one of the iconic events for commercializing seafood products in Europe and the world, with an attendance of more than 26,000 buyers and suppliers.

19 Chilean companies will be present at Fira Barcelona Gran Vía, where they will be able to exhibit their pure and fresh offer that characterizes Chilean seafood products -such as Australis Hake, Mussels, Salmon, as well as Trout, Jack Mackerel and Giant Squid- where the country seeks to continue consolidating its image as a reliable supplier and high quality producer in the world.

Chile is one of the main exporters of a wide variety of foods, such as wines, plums, dehydrated apples, among others. Our exports reach more than 170 destinations in the world, complying with demanding international standards and certifications. Thanks to this offer, Chilean food has become a relevant economic engine in the communities where it is produced, a synonymous of development and generating thousands of jobs locally and nationally. This sector is one of the most dynamic in terms of its contribution to GDP, estimated at 4.7%.

CHILEAN SEAFOOD PRODUCTS

Chile has to share with the world a geography of extremes, of extraordinary beauty that shapes the character and inspires the talent and vocation for excellence of its people. It has an extensive coastline of more than 6 thousand kilometers with pure waters and marine resources of high nutritional value, which allows the country to have one of the richest and most productive marine ecosystems in the world.

In general terms, Chilean food -and mainly its seafood productsenjoy five outstanding characteristics that have allowed positioning our country as an agro-food power.

Inocuity

Chile has natural phytosanitary barriers that isolate Chilean food and keep it free of pests and diseases.

Food Safety

Chile has natural phytosanitary barriers that isolate Chilean foods and keep them free of pests and diseases.

Quality

As a result of the geography, climate, and professional expertise of Chilean producers and exporters. They have contributed to the International Recognition of the Products, their value and market awareness. Chile is a country that, thanks to its attributes, as well as its long history of international trade, provide assurances on the quality of its products, which are valued by consumers around the world. Traceability, a complete monitoring system of the production process which meets strict quality standards and allows us to meet the requirements for a variety of internationally recognized certifications.

Natural Flavors

Purity and freshness of origin. Given Chile’s natural conditions that are unique in the world, in addition to the ongoing work of the industry to maintain product quality with a focus on sustainability.

The Chilean seafood sector exports mainly seafood in frozen, canned, fresh and live formats. Chile is the world’s top exporter of fresh and frozen salmon and pacific salmons fillets; fresh or refrigerated trout fillets; canned and frozen mussels, smoked and frozen sea urchins and frozen fillets and chunks of deep sea cod. Additionally, we are the second largest supplier of whole frozen Jack Mackerel and unsmoked canned sea urchins.

Many of these products are part of a regional heritage, reflecting active local communities, cooperatives, associations or small producers, collectors, who work daily to give greater value to their work, with sensitivity to the environment and on a human scale.

The sum of all these attributes allow us to reach today the tables of the most demanding consumers in the world and to obtain the recognition of the international community.

FOOD SUSTAINABILITY

The Chilean seafood industry is characterized by a strict regulatory commitment in harmony with productive sustainability, quotas and temporary bans, traceability from origin to destination, with a certified industry and constant research that allows diversifying resources and creating new products, within the framework of a production system that complies with the highest sanitary standards worldwide.

This is an industry in constant growth and adaptation to the demands of world consumers, with high levels of innovation in the processes of cultivation, production and processing of food. The use of advanced technology is added to a modern infrastructure and export logistics that has focused on functionality, thus contributing to the care of people’s health and well-being.

The commitment to sustainability in the Chilean industry will be reflected in the participation of companies that will be in the Chilean pavilion at the workshop “Species Sourcing Events” organized by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) on Chilean jack mackerel on Tuesday, April 25.

This highlights the importance of jack mackerel -which received in 2021 the blue seal of the MSC that certifies its sustainability- in the exports of the sector in our country, where Orizon, Camanchaca and Landes will participate in the Chilean delegation.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CHILEAN SEAFOOD IN THE WORLD

In 2022, Chile exported US$ 7.8 billion in seafood products globally, an increase of 25.9% compared 2021. The main destination for these shipments was the United States, where Chilean exports reached a value of US$ 3 billion, representing a 24.3% increase compared to the prior year. The US was followed by Japan (US$ 1.3 billion) and Brazil (US$ 807 million).

In Europe, the main markets of Chilean seafood products were Spain, France and Italy.

Main european markets for Chilean seafood products (2022)

*Source: ProChile

SALMON

Flanked by the longest coastline in the world, Chile’s pure waters offers fish and seafood of the highest nutritional value which are emblematic of Chile. The cold waters of the Southern Pacific coast provide abundant resources for aquaculture, an industry which over the last 30 years, has developed a solid production model, resulting in a major international positioning.

The salmon farming industry is prevalent in the southern part of the country, and it represents one of Chile’s main exports.

The production industry is known for its permanent use of technologies and innovation, applied science, strengthening of human capital, and constant publicprivate collaboration.

The production has a solid regulatory framework that protects the environmental health assets. The sector is very much aware that sustainability in this area, economically and socially, is one of the main challenges as an industry.

Salmon exports worldwide totaled US$ 6.6 billion in 2022, while the United States was the main destination, receiving a value of US$ 2.8 billion of Chilean salmon, followed by Japan with US$ 1.1 billion.

MUSSELS

Chilean Patagonia, a natural territory of breathtaking beauty, is the cradle of the mussel. A place with pure and quality waters that allows the existence of a varied marine flora and fauna, rich in fish and shellfish.

Chile’s mussel industry is primarily found in the Chiloé Archipelago. There are currently more than 850 production centers where the product grows in a fully natural environment, with waters rich in phytoplankton and algae that give them color, shape, and its unique flavor.

The Chilean mussel stands out for its characteristics such as its pure cultivation in cold waters, its quality and texture, as well as its high nutritional value. It is important to note that this product is cultivated under strict environmental controls in a protected ecosystem free of contamination.

The production industry is characterized by its adoption of modern technology and compliance with high standards of quality control and hygiene. Its production capacity is 160 tons of fresh mussels daily.

In 2022, mussel exports reached US$ 259 million, and the main destination market was Spain where exports totaled US$ 52 million, followed by United States with US$ 38 million.

GIANT SQUID

This product is found along the Pacific coast. In Chile it is primarily found in the regions of Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Maule and Biobío.

In general, the Giant Squid reaches a size between 50 and 150 centimeters and weighs between 20 and 50 kilos. Its capture is mainly done with artisanal fishing methods where the fishermen have created an instrument called La Tota, which consists of a steel tube of 20 and 40 cm long, two inches in diameter, with a light at the tip, and has two runs of 10 to 15 hooks.

It contains great nutritional value, and its consumption is continuously increasing. Its versatility allows to be a key ingredient in an endless number of dishes, from grilled to rice or stews. It is available frozen, fresh chilled, tubes and rings.

Giant Squid exports totaled US$ 113 million in 2022, primarily to Spain, where exports reached a value of US$ 40 million, followed by South Korea with US$ 25 million.

AUSTRALIS HAKE

This product comes from the cold and southern currents of the Pacific Ocean in Chile.

Chile’s Australis Hake industry consists of nearly 7,000 fishermen, 800 crew members, and 1,500 workers in processing plants in the southern regions of the country. The fishing, processing, and commercialization of Australis Hake in Chile make up a highly qualified industry, being a world leader in the production of this fish. The main destination for this product is Spain, which receives 95% of Chilean Australis Hake exports.

Also, in terms of sustainability, Merluza Austral Chile’s industrial fishery has achieved certification under the rigorous Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standard.

In 2022, Australis Hake exports totaled US$ 86 million, US$ 52 million of which consist of exports to Spain followed by Poland with US$ 17 million.

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