Chile's salmon industry contributes US$6.96 billion annually, 2.6% of GDP, supporting 337,000 jobs

A study published in October 2026 by SalmonChile, the Chilean salmon industry association, shows that Chile's salmon industry contributes about US$6.96 billion to the country's economy, equivalent to 2.6% of gross domestic product (GDP), and supports 337,670 jobs, or 3.8% of Chile's total national employment. The study was carried out by consultancy CoMov Consultores with the cooperation of SalmonChile and released in Puerto Montt. Based on 2022 economic data, it combines information from Chile's Internal Revenue Service (SII), questionnaire surveys and the System of National Accounts to analyze the salmon industry's economic contribution from the national to the local level.

In terms of employment structure, of the 337,670 jobs, 78,808 are direct jobs in farming and processing, while the remaining 258,862 are jobs supported indirectly through supply, transport, trade and related service activities. The study notes that this figure reflects employment sustained by the entire salmon production chain, not just direct labor within the industry.

The industry's multiplier effects extend to multiple sectors. In southern Chile, each direct job in the salmon industry supports about 3.3 jobs in related fields across the national economy; for every 100 pesos the salmon industry contributes to GDP, about 65 pesos come from indirect activities outside farms and processing plants. About 72% of the GDP contribution occurs outside the four main producing regions. Although the Metropolitan Region has no salmon farming activity, the value chain still supports 202,872 jobs and contributes 3.6% of local GDP, mainly through service, manufacturing and logistics activities; in the Biobío Region, the industry supports 42,361 jobs, linked to processing and related fields.

Processing occupies an important position in the contribution structure. The study shows that processing accounts for about 59% of value added and 65% of total direct employment. Of the 78,808 direct jobs, 27,505 are in farming and 51,302 are in processing plants.

At the local level, the Los Lagos Region, one of Chile's important salmon production centers, receives about US$1.166 billion from the industry, equivalent to 12.6% of local GDP, while supporting 47,279 jobs, or 15.2% of the region's total employment. At the provincial level, Llanquihue and Chiloé provinces contribute significantly, with the salmon industry contributing US$853 million and US$169 million respectively, equivalent to 14.3% of Llanquihue's GDP and 19.2% of Chiloé's GDP, supporting 34,339 and 8,863 jobs respectively. In Osorno, the industry contributes about US$138 million, equivalent to 5.9% of GDP; in Palena, it is US$7 million, accounting for 14.9% of local GDP.

Other southern producing regions also show clear effects: the Aysén Region's salmon industry contributes 21.4% of local GDP and supports 19.3% of the region's total employment; the Magallanes Region's contribution to GDP is 11.1%. According to a representative of Chile's Multigremial Nacional de Emprendedores, the salmon industry promotes local economies through supply networks and expands business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The study also simulated a scenario in which the salmon industry ceases operations to assess the impact on other economic sectors. The results show that in Aysén and Magallanes, the industry supports about one-tenth of jobs in fields such as healthcare, education, public administration and construction.

Beyond its economic contribution, the industry's development also places demands on institutional improvement and management efficiency. Former Chilean Minister of Agriculture María Emilia Undurraga believes that simplifying permit procedures does not mean lowering environmental and social standards; the permitting process should be transparent, efficient and predictable, while maintaining high requirements for environmental protection and social responsibility.

The study results show that the Chilean salmon industry's contribution to the economy lies not only in farming and exports, but also extends to processing, logistics, supply and multiple service sectors.