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Global demand for New Zealand’s premium salmon continues to grow, with more than 5,200 tonnes air freighted to international markets via Auckland Airport in the year ending September 2025, up 4 per cent year on year.
Export volumes have risen by an average of 10 per cent a year since 2017. Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker says two-thirds of the salmon flown from AKL over the past year was destined for the United States, New Zealand’s largest export market at 3,445 tonnes, followed by China, Australia, Japan and Canada.
“We’re seeing strong demand for high-quality seafood around the world. Thanks to the speed and reach of air freight, New Zealand’s salmon is arriving fresher than ever, going from our regions to restaurant tables in overseas markets,” Scott says.
In the United States, New Zealand salmon is predominantly sold through high-end retail supermarkets, restaurants and specialist distributors. Key markets include California, Washington and Oregon, along with New York, Boston, Chicago and Miami.
“The common factor across all these locations is the connectivity, speed and efficiency of air cargo for getting a time-sensitive premium product to market in the best possible condition,” Scott says. “We have up to seven airlines flying direct to seven North American destinations. That reliable, high-frequency connectivity provides the bellyhold cargo space for high-value exports.”
Over the past year, AKL handled 80 per cent of New Zealand’s air freighted salmon, valued at more than $140 million, up 14 per cent year on year.
China demand accelerating
China is the fastest-growing market for New Zealand salmon, recording 85 per cent year-on-year growth to September 2025. Around 732 tonnes were flown on passenger services to Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. Since July, China Southern’s dedicated freighter service has added further capacity and strengthened supply chain resilience.
Akaroa King Salmon, which operates the world’s smallest ocean-based salmon farm, exports via AKL to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei and the United States. Chief executive Stewart Hawthorn says premium restaurants rely on the consistency of New Zealand’s cold chain.
“The chefs we supply wouldn’t risk putting our salmon on the menu if they thought a freight load might be missed or if the fish wasn’t going to arrive in perfect condition,” Stewart says.
“We can have fish harvested in Akaroa in the morning and into Christchurch for processing within a few hours — that’s how tight and well-managed our cold chain is. Without fast, reliable airfreight, we couldn’t meet the exacting demands of the top chefs we work with.”
New cargo precinct strengthens export capacity
Auckland Airport has begun the staged opening of its new cargo precinct on Manu Tapu Drive, located alongside the expanded northern airfield. The $465 million upgrade adds parking for up to 11 wide-body aircraft and provides direct access to the new precinct.
“The new cargo hub future-proofs New Zealand’s air cargo capacity,” Scott says. “Bringing most of our freight operators together in a single location, supported by improved roading, will significantly enhance access to cargo aircraft.”
Supporting New Zealand’s seafood industry
Government and industry partners have set a goal to grow aquaculture to $3 billion in annual revenue by 2030, including consents for at least 75,000 tonnes of open-ocean salmon by 2035.
Auckland Airport remains a key hub for other perishable exports such as avocados, cherries, capsicums and blueberries. An EY report projects $41.1 billion in annual freight movements facilitated by the airport by 2032. AKL is currently New Zealand’s third-largest port by cargo value, handling $33.2 billion in exports and imports in the year ending September 2025.
