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In Polcura, studies and crossbreeding of families of two specific salmon strains are carried out. These salmon remain in this pre-Andean area for 2 to 3 years, a period in which the species that enhance the strengths of the company's varieties are identified.
“In 2023, we shipped 20,600 metric tons of salmon to the world from the ports of Biobío, equivalent to about 48% of our exports, with a value of US$143 million. This region plays a key role in Chile’s southern export sector, but particularly for the salmon industry, and especially for Camanchaca. Our production chain begins in Polcura with the development of our own broodstock. Their progeny are raised in the south, and then return to Tomé for processing and export to consumers around the globe,” explained Ricardo García Holtz, CEO of Camanchaca.
The Polcura hatchery, located in Tucapel, east of Los Angeles in the foothills of the Biobío province, is one of the oldest land-based aquaculture facilities in Chile, with 70 years of operation. “The natural and environmental characteristics of this area are ideal for developing high-quality Atlantic salmon broodstock. Here, we carry out research and advanced genetic development through our Genetic Improvement Program (PMG), implemented in 2006,” said the executive. “The Polcura hatchery is the strategic starting point for our export activity. It is where our integrated production chain begins, allowing us to improve salmon generation after generation, a hallmark of Camanchaca,” he emphasized.
The company leaves nothing to chance. It is committed to the quality of its products, prioritizing the health and welfare of the fish during their entire lifecycle. This includes meticulous care for the environment surrounding its facilities and fostering strong bonds with the local communities, often home to its workers. In Polcura, through the PMG, we conduct studies and crossbreeding programs with two specific strains that remain at this pre-Andean facility for 2 to 3 years. During this time, we identify the families that enhance the strengths of our existing varieties, improving genetic condition to face the challenges of the marine environment, such as disease and parasite resistance, and achieving superior growth rates.
These fish are then transferred to a grow-out facility located in the Los Lagos region, near the Reloncaví Estuary, where they provide fertilized eggs. These eggs are transferred to another recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) hatchery in Ensenada, where they are hatched and the fry are raised in freshwater until they reach 150 to 200 grams. After this three-stage process, the smolts are transferred to sea cages for on-growing to market size (around 5 kilos), which takes approximately one year. Finally, the salmon are harvested and transported back to Biobío for processing and export. “Once the production circuit is complete, we leverage Biobío’s logistics and export chain to ship our products to countries on five continents, mainly the United States, Mexico, Asia, and Europe,” said the CEO of Camanchaca.
For Ricardo García, Chile is a global food powerhouse, known for its fruit and salmon, and recognized as a reliable supplier of world-class products. He highlighted that the Biobío Region is key to this success. “This is the fishing capital of Chile. The strong development of industrial fishing creates a unique synergy for salmon farming, benefiting from the talent and industrial and logistical capabilities of its people. We have fishing and salmon farming activities in the area, and that is no coincidence. There are clear advantages to operating here, including its ports and its skilled workforce,” said García.
Transfer of local value: Camanchaca
For the executive, the synergy between the different economic sectors and regions of the country is unique. “Our operations involve different regions of southern Chile, creating value and benefits that extend to others. This includes supporting the livelihoods of workers’ families, local suppliers, and multiple SMEs that work with Camanchaca. It also includes the taxes paid by the company when it generates positive results, as well as the fishing royalties paid by companies in the sector,” he argued.
Regarding the above, García explained that in Biobío, Camanchaca currently provides direct employment to 2,366 people in its Salmon, Fishing, and Logistics and Transportation divisions. The company also has 1,228 suppliers, of which 865 are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with whom they work across all divisions, generating employment and development in various communities. “We have a strong presence in Coronel, Tomé, and Talcahuano, through our fishing and salmon plants and the logistics center. When you consider that for every direct job, another 2.5 indirect jobs are generated, we see that almost 3,000 other jobs are created through local SMEs that provide us with goods or services,” he concluded.