2025 Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon (HS 030312) Export: Market Collapse & Rebound
Key Takeaways
Frozen Pacific Salmon, classified under HS Code 030312 (Fish; frozen, Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha/keta/tschawytscha/ kisutch/masou/rhodurus) other than sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), excluding fillets, fish meat of 0304, and edible fish offal of subheadings 0303.91 to 0303.99), exhibited severe volatility from January to September 2025.
- Market Pulse: Volume collapsed 93% by June before rebounding 246% in September, but unit prices cratered to $0.96/kg—a 55% drop from August.
- Structural Shift: Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon Export revenue hinges on Japan (46% value share), exposing trade to single-market shocks. High shipment frequency (65%) confirms bulk, price-sensitive demand.
- Product Logic: HS Code 030312 trade data shows 96% of exports are low-margin bulk shipments ($1.67/kg), with negligible premium segments ($12/kg).
This overview covers the period from January to September 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.
Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon (HS Code 030312) Key Metrics Trend
Market Trend Summary
The Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon Export trend began 2025 with strong volume but deteriorated sharply through mid-year before recovering in Q3. January shipments totaled 30.15M kg valued at $40.36M, but volume collapsed 57% by April and 93% by June to just 2.20M kg. This contraction reversed dramatically in August and September, with volume surging 226% and 246% month-on-month respectively to reach 23.01M kg by September—near January levels—though at a severely depressed unit price of $0.96/kg.
Drivers & Industry Context
The mid-year volume collapse aligns with typical Southern Hemisphere seasonality, where fishing activity slows during winter months. The Q3 recovery reflects both cyclical rebound and concentrated export flows to key Asian markets, particularly Japan which accounted for over 80% of Chile’s HS 030312 shipments according to [yTrade]. Preferential tariff access under trade agreements like the U.S.-Chile FTA [yTrade] supported market access, but the 55% unit price decline from August to September suggests heightened competition or inventory adjustments in key markets. The hs code 030312 value recovery to $22.08M in September was entirely volume-driven, indicating compressed margins despite renewed shipment activity.
Table: Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon Export Trend (Source: yTrade)
| Date | Value | Weight | Unit Price | Value MoM | Weight MoM | Unit Price MoM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-01 | 40.36M USD | 30.15M kg | $1.34/kg | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2025-02-01 | 37.41M USD | 30.25M kg | $1.24/kg | -7.32% | +0.32% | -7.61% |
| 2025-03-01 | 30.95M USD | 21.99M kg | $1.41/kg | -17.27% | -27.30% | +13.79% |
| 2025-04-01 | 22.47M USD | 9.36M kg | $2.40/kg | -27.40% | -57.44% | +70.58% |
| 2025-05-01 | 14.78M USD | 4.31M kg | $3.43/kg | -34.22% | -53.93% | +42.78% |
| 2025-06-01 | 10.29M USD | 2.20M kg | $4.67/kg | -30.40% | -48.92% | +36.26% |
| 2025-07-01 | 7.16M USD | 2.04M kg | $3.51/kg | -30.40% | -7.47% | -24.78% |
| 2025-08-01 | 14.11M USD | 6.65M kg | $2.12/kg | +97.12% | +226.15% | -39.56% |
| 2025-09-01 | 22.08M USD | 23.01M kg | $0.96/kg | +56.46% | +246.15% | -54.80% |
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Chile HS Code 030312 Export Breakdown
Market Composition & Top Categories
According to yTrade data, Chile's HS Code 030312 export of frozen Pacific salmon is overwhelmingly dominated by one category, representing 96% of the total export value and 88% of the weight shipped in the first three quarters of 2025. The remaining trade is fragmented across a few minor categories, which together account for less than 5% of the total value.
Value Chain & Strategic Insights
The HS Code 030312 breakdown reveals a classic commodity market structure, where the vast majority of volume moves at a low, uniform price of $1.67/kg. A tiny, specialized segment exists with prices reaching over $12/kg, but this is negligible in volume. The trade structure is fundamentally driven by bulk, price-sensitive shipments rather than premium, quality-differentiated products.
Check Detailed HS Code 030312 Breakdown
Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon Destination Countries
Geographic Concentration & Market Risk
Japan dominates Chile's Frozen Pacific Salmon export destinations, capturing 46.12% of total value from January to September 2025. This overwhelming 46% market share creates significant exposure to a single buyer, making Chile's export revenue highly sensitive to any economic or regulatory shifts in Japan. The next largest partners, Vietnam and China Taiwan, hold less than 10% value share each, underscoring a high-risk, concentrated trade profile.
Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation
Japan's weight share (65.39%) significantly outpaces its value share (46.12%), revealing a market focused on price-sensitive bulk processing rather than premium cuts. The extremely high shipment frequency (64.55%) confirms fragmented, high-volume demand, characteristic of industrial stockpiling and Just-in-Time replenishment for further processing. For Chilean exporters, this profile indicates the trade partners for Frozen Pacific Salmon offer volume scale, not margin potential.
Table: Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon (HS Code 030312) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)
| Country | Value | Quantity | Frequency | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAPAN | 92.06M | 51.05M | 3.50K | 84.98M |
| VIETNAM | 19.25M | 7.36M | 425.00 | 10.22M |
| CHINA TAIWAN | 15.92M | 4.78M | 246.00 | 5.64M |
| PHILIPPINES | 10.88M | 1.99M | 98.00 | 2.27M |
| THAILAND | 8.24M | 3.09M | 152.00 | 3.62M |
| INDONESIA | ****** | ****** | ****** | ****** |
Get Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon (HS Code 030312) Complete Destination Countries Profile
Action Plan for Frozen Pacific Salmon Market Operation and Expansion
- Diversify export markets: Japan’s 46% value share creates untenable risk. Target Vietnam and China Taiwan (sub-10% shares) to reduce dependency.
- Lock in forward contracts: Volatile Q3 prices ($0.96/kg) demand hedging. Secure fixed-rate agreements before seasonal winter slowdowns.
- Optimize logistics costs: Bulk shipments dominate. Renegotiate freight rates or consolidate loads to offset margin compression.
- Audit buyer portfolios: Japan’s 65% weight share signals industrial buyers. Screen for credit risk in high-volume, low-margin transactions.
- Monitor tariff shifts: Leverage U.S.-Chile FTA terms to counter price erosion in key markets. Track regulatory changes in Japan.
Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon HS Code 030312 Export Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon Export in 2025?
The mid-year volume collapse reflects seasonal fishing slowdowns, while the Q3 recovery aligns with cyclical demand rebounds, particularly in Japan. However, the 55% unit price decline suggests heightened competition or inventory adjustments in key markets.
Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon (HS Code 030312) in 2025?
Japan dominates with 46.12% of export value, followed by Vietnam and China Taiwan, each holding less than 10% share.
Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon Export in 2025?
Bulk shipments to Japan trade at a low uniform price ($1.67/kg), while a tiny premium segment (over $12/kg) exists but is negligible in volume.
Q4. What should exporters in Chile focus on in the current Frozen Pacific Salmon export market?
Exporters must prioritize volume efficiency for Japan’s price-sensitive bulk demand while exploring niche premium opportunities to mitigate reliance on a single market.
Q5. What does this Chile Frozen Pacific Salmon export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?
Buyers, especially in Japan, benefit from stable, high-volume supply at low costs but face risks if Chilean exports face disruptions.
Q6. How is Frozen Pacific Salmon typically used in this trade flow?
The bulk shipments are primarily destined for industrial processing in Japan, emphasizing price-sensitive bulk demand over premium cuts.
Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 FEB
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 MAR
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 APR
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 MAY
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JUN
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 JUL
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 AUG
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 SEP
Chile HS Code 030312 Export Data Snapshot 2025 Q1
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