Rising Imports Threaten Food Security
A new report from the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) reveals a concerning trend in Canada's salmon industry. Despite strong demand, farm-raised salmon production in British Columbia has declined by over 40% since 2015, leading to a surge in imports from countries like Chile and Norway.
The CAIA warns that this shift threatens Canada's food security, economic resilience, and climate policy. Imported salmon has a higher carbon footprint due to longer transportation distances. The industry is calling for regulatory certainty and investment to boost local production.
Key Stats:
- Salmon imports: $700 million annually, up from $300 million in 2015
- BC salmon production: 53,816 tonnes in 2024, down 40% from 2015 peak
- Jobs: 18,074 full-time positions in the aquaculture sector
- Economic output: $6 billion annually
The report from the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) reveals a growing imbalance in Canada’s food system. While demand for farm-raised salmon remains strong, production in British Columbia, which has traditionally led salmon production in Canada, has declined significantly, driving a surge in imports.
Since 2015, farm-raised salmon production in BC has fallen by more than 40 percent (Figure 1).
Over the same period, Canada’s salmon imports have more than doubled (Figure 2),
reaching approximately $700 million annually. Much of this growth has come from increased imports of salmon from countries such as Chile and Norway (Figure 3),
as Canada turns to international suppliers to meet demand that could be fulfilled locally.
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Figure 1. Production of farmed salmon by region, 1991 to 2024. Source: 2024 Aquaculture Industry Snapshot, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA), 2026. Data sourced from Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0107-01. |
Over the same period, Canada’s salmon imports have more than doubled (Figure 2),
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Figure 2. Value of Canada’s imports of salmon, 2015 to 2024. Source: Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA). Data sourced from https://ised-isde.canada.ca/ |
reaching approximately $700 million annually. Much of this growth has come from increased imports of salmon from countries such as Chile and Norway (Figure 3),
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Figure 3. Percentage growth of Canadian imports of salmon from Chile, the United States, Norway and China, 2014 to 2015. Source: Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA). Data sourced from https://ised-isde.canada.ca/ |
“Salmon remains Canada’s most consumed seafood,” said Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association. “The data clearly shows demand is strong. With long-term regulatory certainty, Canada has a real opportunity to produce more of this food at home.”
Canadian-raised salmon is a climate-friendly source of protein and a significant contributor to the national economy. The BC sector currently supports more than 4,000 families and generates $1.2 billion in annual economic output, with the most significant impacts felt on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland.
Increasing reliance on imported salmon also carries broader implications for food security, economic resilience, and climate policy, as imported salmon typically travels longer distances by ship or air, resulting in higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to locally produced Canadian salmon.
With renewed regulatory certainty and improved investment confidence, the sector has the potential to generate up to $2.5 billion in annual economic output and approximately 9,000 jobs by 2030, and as much as $4.2 billion in annual output and more than 16,000 jobs by 2040.
“With the right framework in place, BC salmon farmers are ready to support Canada’s food system and help build a stronger Canada,” said Kingzett.
