Salmon World 2022 Report and Key Highlights

What happened in the global salmon market in 2021? The key highlights from this year's edition of Salmon World 2022 report is now available. 

The report provides the reader with an overview of the global salmon market and offers valuable information covering the preceding year. In this report, you will get information about global trends regarding both farmed and wild salmonids, and the report is now available for purchase here. We put together seven key highlights from the report: 

1. Total supply of all salmonid species increased in 2021, ending with a 13% increase compared to 2020, with total volume surpassing 5 million tonnes (WFE). Supply of farmed salmonids increased by 6%, while wild salmon catches surged by 59% to approximately the same level as seen in 2019.

2. Atlantic salmon accounted for 58% of the total salmonid (both farmed and wild) supply in 2021. Small trout was the second-largest species, representing a share of 13%, while pink was third largest, making out 13% of the total. Large trout represented a share of 6%, while coho, chum and sockeye amounted to 5%, 3% and 3% of the total, respectively. Finally, chinook represented 0.4% of the total supply of salmonids in 2021.

3. Harvest volumes of Atlantic salmon increased by 7% in 2021, amounting to close to 2.9 million tonnes. The largest salmon-producing country, Norway, was the key driver behind the growth, with volumes increasing by 163 000 tonnes (12%) to 1 532 000 tonnes. Chile, however, experienced an 8% decline as Atlantic salmon harvest volumes increased by 36 000 tonnes (3%) YoY to 1 369 000 tonnes.

4. Atlantic salmon smolt release in Norway totalled 381.5 million individuals in 2021, increasing by 4% from 2020. In Chile, Atlantic salmon smolt release amounted to 166.5 million individuals in 2021, which was an increase of 3% compared to the preceding year.

5. As for large trout, supply dropped by 10% YoY in 2021, ending at 283 000 tonnes. Norway and Chile represented the largest harvest volumes, making out 30% and 18% of the total, respectively. Surpassing Chile in 2020, Norway strengthened its position as the largest producer in 2021.

6. There was 5% growth in supply of salmonids to the EU + UK market in 2021, while the US experienced a 10% increase YoY. Salmonid supply to Russia and Other Markets saw 54% and 7% supply increase, respectively, whereas supply to Japan decreased by 7% in 2021.

7. The top 15 salmon-farming companies in the world represented 62% of global harvest volumes of salmonids in 2021. Mowi was by far the largest player, making out 15% of total volumes of farmed salmonids. Cermaq had the second-largest volumes in 2021, amounting to 7% of the total. Lerøy Seafood, Salmar and Aquachile followed closely behind, all representing around 6% of global volumes of harvest volumes of salmonids in 2021.

Image: Shutterstock by Andrey Armyagov