This reduction is a consequence of lower stockings and of the new limits set for the fish density in the water. Anyway, the Chilean government predicts an improvement in profitability.
The sector also faces the impact of disease outbreaks caused by the infectious salmon anemia (ISA) virus, caligidosis (sea lice) and salmon rickettsial syndrome (SRS) in Region XI districts.
Under the new Law on Fisheries, the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca) decided to limit stockings in two production districts, 20 and 18 A, due to the increased presence of parasites and to poor sanitary performance, by having more fish in the water than recommended.
This provision implies a 10 per cent reduction in Atlantic salmon stockings compared to 2012; a 38 per cent fall of Pacific salmon; and a 36 per cent drop in trout, the newspaper La Tercera reported.
In addition, in November another measure related to the regulation of stocking densities will take effect in the cages of the regions X, XI and XII, and later in the districts.
In 2011 the salmon industry recorded sales for USD 2,925 million, a historical value, but these were also falls in price. In 2012, its returns rose slightly, a trend that continues today.
In March, the average price of fresh Atlantic salmon fillet in
Subpesca head, Pablo Galilea, argues that the industry will have to "be readapted" and that the production will tend to stabilize at between 600,000 and 650,000 tonnes per year in the next three to four years. For the undersecretary, in the short and medium term
"What one could project is that the business will recover its profitability because prices are expected to increase, probably not at the profitability levels the industry had at the time because costs are rising, but at reasonable margins. It will not be the boom that it once was," Galilea pointed out.
In addition, the general manager of the Association of Chilean Salmon Industry AG (SalmonChile), Cristian Moreno, clarified that production reduction is within specific health programmes to combat sea lice and the SRS.
But the authority is considering extending the stocking limitations to two further districts located in Puerto Montt and in Aysen.
"We have defined those areas that can become a problem from the sanitary point of view and intense surveillance will be determined on them," in this regard said José Miguel Burgos, head of Subpesca Aquaculture Department.
Meanwhile, Blumar general manager, Gerardo Balbontín, recalled that in 2012 around 800,000 tonnes of salmon were produced in
"It's hard to think that we will reach one million tonnes and have a sustainable business, as things have now been noticed," he expressed earlier this month in a statement to Estrategia.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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