Puerto Varas — Chile’s salmon and trout exports reached a record $3.94 billion in the first seven months of 2026, the highest ever recorded for that period, even as the country’s largest market began imposing a new 12.5% tariff on Chilean goods.

The figures, reported by Chile’s central bank, show exports up 5% from $3.74 billion in the same period last year. The United States remains Chile’s largest salmon market, ahead of Japan, Brazil, and China.

However, industry leaders warn the tariff impact is only beginning to be felt. “The tariff scenario is already affecting our competitiveness,” said Loreto Seguel, executive president of industry group Consejo del Salmón. Export volumes have held up so far, but pressure is mounting on export values.

The record figures provide a strong pre-tariff benchmark against which the full impact of the new US duties can now be measured. Chile is the world’s second-largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon behind Norway.