Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the largest aquaculture event in the Southern Hemisphere!
Don't miss the opportunity to participate in the largest aquaculture event in the Southern Hemisphere!
The 13th edition of the main meeting point for aquaculture brought together more than 550 exhibitors from 34 countries, consolidating Chile as a powerhouse in the production of quality food and sustainable protein, and reinforcing the strategic role of the sector for the development of the country.
With the presence of the President of the Republic, José Antonio Kast, former President Eduardo Frei, the Governor of the Los Lagos Region and Honorary President of Aquasur, Alejandro Santana, and other authorities such as the Mayor of Puerto Montt, Rodrigo Wainraihgt, the Mayor of Puerto Varas, Tomás Gárate, ambassadors, national and regional authorities, trade associations, and representatives from the business and academic worlds, Aquasur 2026, the most important aquaculture trade show in the Southern Hemisphere, was inaugurated.
At the opening ceremony of the trade show, and in front of representatives of the sector, the President of the Republic highlighted the growth of salmon farming. “No public policy could match what you have done over these 40 years,” he said. “But for the private sector to function, we need a government that collaborates, and we are willing to collaborate,” he affirmed.
The President also emphasized the potential of the national aquaculture industry, while also stressing the importance of environmental protection. According to him, “we can sell our product in more than 100 countries. This is because the world continues to grow, and there is a need for a healthy, nutritious protein that is increasingly produced with a greater commitment to the environment.”
The CEO of GL events Chile and executive director of FISA, Francisco Sotomayor, thanked the President for attending the opening ceremony and emphasized the strategic value that aquaculture holds for Chile’s economic and social development. “This is the first time we have had the privilege of the presence of the highest authority in our country, and his participation reflects the strategic importance that aquaculture has for Chile’s development today,” he stated.
Sotomayor also highlighted the leap the fair has made: “Historically, we have been the second largest aquaculture fair in the world, and today we have the honor not only of saying that we have the largest Aquasur in Chilean history, but also that today, with more than 550 exhibitors at this 2026 edition, we are becoming number one in the world.”
He added that this event is “the main meeting point for aquaculture, a platform where 34 countries converge, where more than 1,800 brands are exhibited, and where Chile projects itself to the world as a powerhouse in the production of quality food and sustainable protein.”
Sotomayor highlighted aquaculture’s contribution to the national economy: in 2025, the industry surpassed 1.5 million tons of production, with salmon consolidated as Chile’s second most exported product, generating more than US$6.5 billion and creating more than 86,000 jobs.
In this context, Alejandro Santana, Governor of the Los Lagos Region and Honorary President of Aquasur 2026, took the opportunity to emphasize the public-private partnership, in which industry workers also play an essential role.
The future of salmon farming hinges on innovation, public-private collaboration, and a long-term vision. Today, from the Los Lagos Region, we must clearly state that here we have an industry that has built development in just over four decades. Here we have a territory that has changed its history thanks to work, investment, and innovation. Here we have a firm conviction that salmon farming is not only part of our present, but also a strategic opportunity for the future of Chile.
International Congress and Space for Innovation
In parallel with the exhibition, Aquasur 2026 will host a high-level international congress, with 6 panels and 57 national and international speakers who will address productive sustainability, technological and biotechnological innovation, human health and animal welfare, governance, international standards, and global cooperation, under a common concept of public-private, scientific-industrial, and international dialogue within the sector.
The fair is once again strongly committed to innovation and entrepreneurship, with a dedicated area for SMEs. Twenty-six startups, selected through the “Launch Your Business” competition, are participating in this area. The competition aims to promote and showcase technological solutions for aquaculture and connect entrepreneurs with large companies and decision-makers.
Following the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, authorities and their entourage toured various pavilions and stands of national and international exhibitors, officially launching Aquasur 2026 in the Los Lagos Region.
