Salmon aquaculture in Chile began in the late 20th century and today the country is the second-largest producer, after Norway, valued at USUS$6.61 bil

The World Bank Advises Chile on the Future of Salmon Farming

CHILE
Friday, September 12, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The World Bank highlights Chile's position as a global aquaculture powerhouse and underscores the need to modernize regulations, foster innovation, and diversify markets to ensure sustainable growth until 2050.

The future of global food production increasingly depends on aquaculture, a sector that could generate up to 22 million new jobs and require $1.5 trillion in investment by 2050. This was explained by Dr. Harrison Karisa, Senior Aquaculture Specialist at the World Bank, during his participation in the Aquaculture Innovation Conference InnAqua 2025 in Puerto Montt. His remarks were based on a recent report from the World Bank and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) titled "Harnessing the Waters: A Trillion Dollar Investment Opportunity in Sustainable Aquaculture".

The report highlights that under an optimistic growth scenario with strategic investments, global aquaculture production could reach 255 million metric tons by 2050. Karisa described Chile as a consolidated "success story," noting its position as the second-largest salmon producer in the world and the first in the region along with Ecuador. The Chilean industry already employs more than 70,000 people, a number that could grow with a well-defined growth strategy.

Challenges and Recommendations for a Sustainable Future

To maintain its leadership, the World Bank emphasizes the urgency for Chile to address several challenges. A key recommendation is to modernize its regulatory framework to adapt to emerging issues like diseases and environmental problems. The report stresses the importance of investing in new technologies to improve efficiency and sustainability.

In addition to regulatory reforms and investment, the World Bank recommends:

• Market Diversification: Reducing reliance on key markets like the United States and exploring new opportunities in other regions, such as South America and the Middle East, to ensure greater commercial stability.

• Innovation in Feed: The report proposes incorporating new ingredients into fish feed, such as insect meal, algae, and animal by-products. These nutrient-rich alternatives could not only reduce production costs but also mitigate environmental impact.

Innovafeed is an example of how soldier fly protein can be applied.

• Financing for SMEs: Improving access to credit for small and medium-sized aquaculture companies, which often struggle to secure the necessary capital to grow and adopt sustainable technologies

• Efficient Water Use: Developing a clear strategy for aquaculture expansion, with a focus on more efficient water use and the adoption of sustainable practices. The report notes that farmed marine products have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any major animal protein, making them a climate-smart option.

According to the World Bank, these actions are fundamental for the Chilean salmon industry to not only continue to thrive but also to contribute sustainably to global food security and job creation.

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