Flying Fish: Kiwi Salmon In Demand Globally Via AKL

· $140.4 million in salmon exports through Auckland Airport in 12 months to September 2025, up 14% year on year

· AKL handled 80% of New Zealand’s air freighted salmon exports, mainly farmed in the South Island

· New cargo hub opened at Auckland Airport for more efficient transport links for cargo aircraft

More of New Zealand’s premium salmon is flying to markets around the world, reflecting a growing international appetite.

Export volumes through AKL have steadily increased with an average annual growth rate of 10% since 2017 (year ending September 2025). In the last year, there was 5,251 tonnes of New Zealand salmon air freighted to international markets via Auckland Airport, up 4% year on year (year ending September 2025).

Auckland Airport’s Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker said two-thirds of air freighted salmon via AKL was sent to the United States over the last year, New Zealand’s largest salmon export market (3,445 tonnes). This is 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,” he said.

In the United States, New Zealand salmon is mainly sold through high-end retail supermarkets, restaurants and specialty seafood distributors, with the largest markets being California, Washington and Oregon in the West Coast, which have a strong seafood culture and distribution hubs. New York, Boston, Chicago and Miami are also key markets for premium seafood.

Mr Tasker said: “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. We have up to seven airlines flying direct to seven North American destinations. It’s that reliable, high frequency connectivity that provides the bellyhold cargo space for high value New Zealand exports.”

Over the past year, AKL handled 80% of New Zealand’s air freighted salmon exports, predominately farmed in the South Island before being flown to global markets.

This was more than $140 million worth of salmon flying out of AKL over the past 12 months, up 14% year on year as at September 2025.

“The recent growth in salmon exports speaks to the important role aviation plays in linking domestic producers to the rest of the globe,” he said. “A daily wide body passenger aircraft across a year can carry around $500 million in high-value freight.”

Rapid growth in China

China is the fastest-growing market for New Zealand salmon, recording 85% year-on-year growth for the year ending September 2025. Around 732 tonnes were transported in the bellyhold of passenger flights departing AKL to cities including Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, in the past 12 months.

Since launching in July, China Southern’s dedicated freighter service between AKL and Guangzhou has added further capacity and strengthened supply chain resilience.

Akaroa King Salmon operates the worlds smallest ocean-based salmon farm, known for producing the highest quality King Salmon, naturally rich in Omega-3. It exports via AKL to Shanghai, Hong Kong, Taipei and the United States, and featured on restaurant menu’s from Las Vegas to New York.

CEO of Akaroa King Salmon Stewart Hawthorn said 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.

“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.

“From there, fast, reliable airfreight connects us to chefs around the world — from New York to Dubai — who depend on us for quality and freshness. Without that secure cold chain and dependable air connections, we couldn’t meet the exacting demands of the top chefs we work with.

“As a 100 per cent New Zealand–owned partnership, every time we connect with a top international partner, those export dollars come straight back home — and we like to think our King Salmon showcases the very best of New Zealand seafood.”

AKL’s new cargo precinct development

Auckland Airport has begun the staged opening of the new purpose-built cargo precinct on Manu Tapu Drive. The precinct sits alongside the recently opened northern airfield expansion with direct airfield access. Auckland Airport handles 89% of New Zealand’s international air cargo.

The $465 million airfield upgrade, which opened in September this year, added parking space for up to 11 jets and provides direct transport links to the new cargo precinct.

“The new cargo hub future-proofs New Zealand’s air cargo capacity,” said Mr Tasker. “It’s crucial we’re supporting regional New Zealand exporters to deliver their products globally, and our new cargo infrastructure, which is bringing most of our freight operators together for the first time in the same location, coupled with an upgraded roading network, will significantly improve access to cargo aircraft.”

Government support for salmon

Growing New Zealand’s seafood and aquaculture exports is a priority for the industry, with a plan announced earlier this year to grow the country's aquaculture sector to reach $3 billion in annual revenue by 2030, including consents to farm at least 75,000 tones of open ocean salmon, by 2035.

Cargo trade at AKL

Auckland Airport is a major hub for other key food exports including avocadoes, cherries, capsicums and blueberries. A recent EY report showed $41.1 billion in annual freight movements is projected to be facilitated by Auckland Airport by 2032, supported by its investment in aeronautical infrastructure, including an expanded airfield and new domestic jet terminal. Today, Auckland Airport is New Zealand’s third largest port by cargo value handled, with $33.2 billion of exports and imports combined in the year ending September 2025.

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