Coho salmon is among the three leading non-mining products exported by Chile, according to its National Customs Service (SNA).
In 2024, the country exported 220,000 tons of Coho salmon, which represented an increase of 25% in comparison with 2023 according to the Salmon Council, whereas in 2025, in the first quarter alone, 88,482 tons were shipped —signaling an even more intense season.
The Coho salmon has a short life cycle of between 18 and 20 months, high resistance to diseases, firm texture and smooth taste, and has won space not only in traditional import markets, such as Japan, Brazil and the United States, but also in emerging destinations such as Vietnam and Russia.
With the arrival of the harvest period, the whole production chain has to operate with maximum efficiency, from the processing and freezing through to the transport and export.
In this article find out how the salmon from Chile is winning new global markets, what the differential advantages of this species are and the role of the cold chain in the standard of excellence when exporting.
Why is the Coho salmon winning space in international markets?
To get an idea of the importance of export of this species from Chile, just the three principal importers — the United States, Japan and Brazil — total almost US$ 4 billion in sales of Coho salmon, which reflects the magnitude and the significance of this market for the exporting economy.
There are clear reasons that explain the increase in consumption. Firstly there is the growing global demand for healthier, sustainable foods with higher nutritional value. This scenario has boosted the role of Coho salmon in the international markets.
From the nutritional point of view, the Coho salmon is an excellent source of lean proteins, omega-3, vitamins B12 and D, as well as essential minerals such as selenium, phosphorus and potassium, which are nutrients associated with cardiovascular health, the proper working of the immunological system and with combating inflammation.
Besides this, its smoother taste and firm texture make it versatile in cooking, being pleasing to different palates and facilitating its use in restaurants, retail stores and ready meals.
Another factor of its competitivity is its shorter life cycle (18 to 20 months), which guarantees agility and predictability in production, as well as contributing to a smaller environmental footprint. The fish is also known for its natural resistance to diseases, with reduced need for antibiotics. These are aspects which are increasingly valued by consumers and by international regulations.
This combination of nutritional value, efficiency in production and sustainability has consolidated the Coho salmon as a premium protein for export, with strong growth both in traditional markets and to new destinations.
In this context, Puerto Varas and Talcahuano are positioned as two strategic logistics centers for the warehousing and the international projection of this species.
How Puerto Varas became the center of production and export of salmon
Located in the region of Los Lagos, in the south of Chile, Puerto Varas is considered the epicenter of the Chilean salmon sector. The city and its hinterland concentrate a large part of the fish farms, processing units and logistics centers that sustain the salmon production chain.
This strategic position is due to the proximity with the farming centers with cold, clean water, the ideal conditions for the healthy growing of the fish.
Furthermore, Puerto Varas has the robust infrastructure of filleting, processing and freezing industries responsible for preparing the final product for export to international markets.
The region also works as a natural logistics hub, connecting the production with the land, sea and air transport, with easy access to ports such as that of Puerto Montt. This allows the processed and stored salmon to get to its destination quickly, maintaining its freshness, food safety and superior quality.
In this scenario, Emergent Cold LatAm acts in Puerto Varas with its specialized infrastructure for warehousing of frozen foods, supporting the salmon industry with logistics solutions that guarantees efficiency, trackability and temperature control at each stage of the process.
What is the strategic role of Talcahuano in salmon logistics?
Talcahuano is a port and industrial city located in the region of Biobio, known for its infrastructure specialized in fishing and logistics. This port city, which is fundamental for fish farm exports, is able to absorb the Coho salmon season thanks to its maritime connectivity and its proximity with other production areas of the country.
Thanks to this infrastructure, Emergent Cold strengthens your presence throughout the whole supply chain, from the principal points of origin through to the ports of exit, guaranteeing operational efficiency, continuous trackability and maximum safety.
Thus, companies specialized in the cold chain, such as Emergent Cold LatAm, have a strategic presence in the region, guaranteeing that all this food is stored with efficiency and shipped in accordance with the most rigorous standards on the global market.
Why is the cold chain decisive to export success?
The quality of the salmon doesn’t end at the fish farm – it has to be maintained until the moment when the product gets to the consumer’s table, thousands of miles away. Thus, the cold chain is a critical factor in the success in exports of Chilean salmon.
After the harvesting and processing, the Coho salmon has to be chilled quickly and kept at rigorously controlled temperatures to preserve its texture, freshness, flavor and nutritional value. Any failure in this process may result in loss of quality, contamination or the loss of the load.
Furthermore, the importing markets impose increasingly rigorous health regulations and quality standards, making the continuous monitoring and the trackability of the temperature throughout the whole chain indispensable.
That is why companies specialized in cold logistics, such as Emergent Cold LatAm, play a strategic role. In places such as Puerto Varas, our infrastructure allows the secure, efficient and on-demand warehousing of large volumes of salmon, guaranteeing that each load is ready for shipping with the maximum quality and within the time periods set by the clients.
How does the Emergent strategic cold infrastructure support the salmon industry in Chile?
The Emergent Cold LatAm’s cold chain in Chile has a fundamental role in the logistics support to the salmon industry, especially during the demanding Coho salmon season.
At our chilling center in Puerto Varas, we have:
- Warehousing capacity: 11,736 pallets
- Approximate equivalent: 11,736 tons
- Total volume: 68,516 m³
In Talcahuano, our three chilling centers complement the logistics operation and receive a significant part of the volume of Coho salmon processed. Below are the details by installation:
Talcahuano 1
- Warehousing capacity: 12,707 pallets
- Approximate equivalent: 12,707 tons
- Total volume: 130,615 m³
Talcahuano 2
- Warehousing capacity: 8,196 pallets
- Approximate equivalent: 8,196 tons
- Total volume: 81,532 m³
Talcahuano 3
- Warehousing capacity: 49,892 pallets
- Approximate equivalent: 49,892 tons
- Total volume: 337,218 m³
- Certification: EDGE
These installations enable an agile response to the peaks in demand throughout the season, guaranteeing capacity, operational efficiency and proximity to the principal export ports of the country.
Together, these installations have a simultaneous storage capacity of over 80,000 tons. During the Coho salmon export campaign, the total volume handled is significantly higher, as product is constantly cycled — arriving for storage, being dispatched for delivery, and replaced by new incoming volumes. This positions Emergent Cold as a strategic logistics partner for the Coho salmon export chain.
Its infrastructure is highly specialized and is distributed strategically throughout the Chilean territory, which allows it to respond with agility to the demands of the international market.
Emergent Cold LatAm: your strategic partner for the Coho salmon season
Having a reliable partner such Emergent Cold LatAm makes the whole difference for companies needing a modern refrigerated, safe and well-structured logistics. After all, your product deserves to arrive at its destination with the same quality as it when it was harvested.
Talk to our specialists and find out how our infrastructure in Puerto Varas and Talcahuano can support your operation throughout the whole Coho salmon season, guaranteeing efficiency, temperature control and the highest logistics quality standards.
