Chile is the United States’ fourth biggest supplier of seafood, with a market share of 7.4%, equal to more than US$1.37 billion, a figure only surpassed by Canada, China and Indonesia, according to Global Trade Atlas.
With the objective of consolidating this notable position, between 6 and 9 March, nine Chilean companies will be showcasing the quality, purity, traceability and natural flavour of Chilean salmon, mussels, abalone and other seafood at the latest edition of Seafood Expo North America, the most important seafood trade fair on that side of the America continent.
Thousands of suppliers and purchasers from all over the world will converge on the 55,000m2 area of this annual trade fair in Boston, to discover the latest products and market trends, and to establish business contacts. Chile will have a key position with a pavilion organized by ProChile, bringing together the companies Pacific Gold, Pesquera Villa Alegre, Nova Austral, Salmones Pacific Star, Sea Garden, Sudmaris Chile, Toralla, Integra Chile and Ventisqueros.
“Thanks to the Fair Trade Agreement, Chilean seafood exports to the USA have intensified in recent years. In 2013, it overtook Japan as the main destination for these Chilean goods. This leadership was confirmed in 2014 and 2015, with exports to the US market in excess of US$1.5 and US$1.3 billion respectively. Chile’s presence at this trade air will enable more North Americans to discover the qualities of our products and so our shipment figures will continue to grow, with Chile being better positioned in the market,” stated ProChile’s Trade Commissioner in New York, Mauricio Banchieri.

Among the main seafood products being shipped by Chile to the United States are salmon and trout, seabass, mussels and fish oil. Their qualities will be emphasized in this event as part of the international campaign “Foods from Chile, source of life”, which highlights the geographical, climate and human conditions that have made Chile a producer and exporter of high-quality food products.

“Chile is the number one supplier in the United States of products such as salmon fillets, trout, Patagonian toothfish, prepared and frozen mussels, and the second biggest supplier of smoked salmon. This position has been achieved thanks to hard work by both the public and private sectors, whose primary concern is to provide products of recognized quality and innocuity,” explained Banchieri.
The Chilean pavilion will be inaugurated on Sunday 6 and the following day the Chilean businesspeople will be able to establish contact with potential buyers at a networking event organized especially by ProChile.
In parallel to these activities, the Salmon Industry Association A. G. (SalmonChile), with the support of Direcon and ProChile, will hold a seminar to highlight the work undertaken by the industry and the Chilean government to ensure that Chile’s salmon meets with the highest international standards.
“While the United States is the world’s biggest buyer of salmon in terms of volume, its per capita consumption is still very low. This creates an excellent opportunity for Chile, as there is still a lot of scope for this market to grow,” concluded the Trade Commissioner.