LATAM Cargo has made history by transporting Chile’s first-ever shipment of fresh, chilled salmon fillets to Australia.
The 220 kg shipment was carried in the bellyhold of a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on a flight between Santiago and Melbourne on November 27.
Before this groundbreaking transport, Chile underwent a “rigorous and extensive” audit process conducted by the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service (Sernapesca), with support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ProChile. LATAM Cargo stated that the audit ensured the product met Australia’s stringent sanitary and food safety standards.
In September, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) officially recognized Chile as eligible to export processed salmonids. Sernapesca was designated as the competent authority for certifying product safety and sanitary compliance.
Natalia Arcos, International Director of ProChile, highlighted the significance of this milestone:
“This achievement is crucial for our salmon exports as it opens up a market of over 26 million people, offering significant potential for our products. Furthermore, it diversifies our export destinations and creates new opportunities for Chilean companies in the sector.”
Chile is already a major global salmon exporter, with shipments to 76 countries, including key markets like the US, Brazil, Russia, China, and the EU. In 2023, Chilean salmon exports exceeded $6 billion, and exports this year have already reached $4.1 billion.
Australia, which already imports Chilean seafood products such as fish oil and frozen mollusks, now becomes an important new destination for fresh salmon exports.
Claudio Torres, Commercial Director for South America at LATAM Cargo, remarked:
“Today, we celebrate a historic milestone for the Chilean aquaculture industry: the first shipment of fresh salmon to Australia. At LATAM Cargo Group, we are committed to finding specialized solutions for our customers and adapting to their needs. This achievement is a testament to that commitment. We will continue working to create more opportunities for our customers and promote Chilean salmon worldwide.”