Record value for BC salmon exports in 2016

NEW RECORD VALUE FOR B.C. FARM RAISED SALMON EXPORTS: OVER $540-MILLION IN 2016

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – Global sales of fresh B.C farm-raised salmon reached a record $745-million CAD in 2016 with exports to 12-markets valued over $544-million. Domestic demand for salmon raised in B.C. continues to be strong amidst record high global salmon prices, while the United States remains the primary destination for exports. Markets in Asia are showing huge potential with year-over-year growth more than doubling in many markets.

The volume of salmon raised in B.C. exported to Asia increased 40% over 2015’s record volume with more than 4.7-million kilograms of fresh salmon exported. China and Japan continue to be the top two Asian destinations for exports, with South Korea now emerging as a key growth market. Over 82-thousand kilograms were exported to South Korea in 2016, a market that saw no exports from B.C. before 2015 when the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement came into force.

“The value of B.C. farm-raised salmon has never been higher, and that value is being reinvested in the industry with salmon producers building new hatcheries and processing plants upgrading marine farms with the latest technology, building new working vessels, investing in skills training and scientific research, supporting local community projects, and certifying farms to the most stringent third-party environmental standards available,” said Jeremy Dunn, Executive Director, BC Salmon Farmers Association.

Exports to the United States were stable at just over 50,000-tonnes of fresh salmon, but strong demand amidst high prices saw the value of those exports increase by 25% over 2015. Global demand for seafood and farm-raised salmon in particular has pushed the value of B.C. exports up by 45% over similar export volumes in 2012. Overall Canadian exports of farm-raised salmon reached over $950-million, with the total value of Canadian farm-raised seafood exports over $1-billion.

Exports by the numbers (farm-raised Atlantic Salmon): (Source: Statistics Canada CATSNET Analytics)

• 2016: 77,814,000kg of Farm Raised salmon harvested in B.C. valued at an estimated $746,236,000 CAD

• 2016: New record value of B.C. farm-raised salmon exports of $544,204,000 CAD

• 2016: Total of 55,711,266 kilograms of fresh farm-raised salmon exported from B.C.

• Farm-raised salmon has been B.C.’s highest valued agricultural export for 7-years.

• 2016: 4,738,187 kilograms of fresh, farm-raised salmon exported to Asia worth over $37M CAD

• B.C. accounts for 58% of all Canadian exports of farm-raised salmon

Salmon farming has a total economic impact of more than $1.1-billion in British Columbia and accounts for more than 5,000 total jobs. Salmon farmers are working closely with coastal First Nations with 20 social and economic agreements in place. 78% of the B.C. harvest is from farms covered under First Nation Agreements.

For more information visit BCSalmonFarmers.ca

Media Contacts:

Sabrina Santoro
Sabrina@bcsalmonfarmers.ca
604.202.4417 (mobile)