Top 6 Most Expensive Salmon In The World

Salmon, a popular and versatile fish, is known for its rich, buttery flavor and high nutritional value. However, not all salmon are created equal. The world of salmon is a complex one, with variations in species, habitats, and farming methods leading to a wide range of tastes, textures, and prices.

Among these, a select few stand out as the most expensive, sought after not just for their exquisite taste, but also for their rarity and the intricate processes involved in their cultivation and harvest.

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Here we would like to share with you the top 6 most expensive salmons in the world that you can buy.

6. Sockeye Salmon ($12/Pound)

Sockeye Salmon, also known as Red Salmon or Blueback Salmon, is a species of salmon that is found in the Northern Pacific Ocean and rivers that flow into it. Sockeye Salmon is known for its vibrant red hue during spawning, which gives it its name.

Sockeye Salmon has firm, compact flesh, which makes it stand up very well to grilling. Other options for cooking salmon include baking, cooking in parchment or foil, and slow roasting in the oven.

Despite being smaller than most other salmon, Sockeye Salmon is highly valued for its distinctively rich flavor and vibrant red flesh. This species commands a higher price of up to $12 per pound depending on its quality.

5. Coho Salmon ($19.99/Pound)

The Coho salmon is known as silver salmon or “silvers” due to its silver sides and dark-blue backs with spots during their ocean phase. Size: Coho Salmon average 20 to 28 inches (50.8 to 71 cm) and 7 to 11 pounds (3.2 to 5.0 kg), occasionally reaching up to 36 pounds (16 kg).

Coho Salmon has a milder flavor than Chinook salmon but still boasts a rich taste. It’s generally more affordable than Chinook salmon, making it a favorite choice for those seeking a balance between quality and price.

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Coho Salmon is used in a variety of recipes. It can be grilled, baked, or sautéed. It’s also a popular choice for making salmon fillets. You can get a high-quality Coho salmon for around $19.99 per pound.

4. Chinook Salmon ($29.99/Pound)

Chinook Salmon is the largest species of Pacific salmon, earning it the nickname “king salmon”. It can grow up to 4.9 feet in length and weigh up to 129 pounds. The flesh of the Chinook Salmon is highly valued for its dietary nutritional content, which includes high levels of important omega-3 fatty acids.

However, some populations of Chinook Salmon are endangered due to factors such as overfishing, loss of freshwater and estuarine habitat, hydropower development, poor ocean conditions, and hatchery practices.

All these factors combined have resulted in the high price tag for the salmon and one can expect to pay as high as $29.99 per pound.

3. Ivory King Salmon ($49.99/Pound)

Credit: Northwest Wild Foods

The Ivory King Salmon, also known as the White King Salmon, is a unique and luxurious variety of salmon. It’s a rare find in the salmon family, and its scarcity contributes to its high price tag.

What sets the Ivory King Salmon apart is its distinctive white flesh, unlike the typical pink or red flesh we associate with salmon. This unique color is due to a genetic trait that affects how the salmon processes pigments in its diet.

The ivory flesh of this salmon is more densely oiled, resulting in a lavish and indulgent taste experience. It’s packed with Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Protein, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, Potassium, and Selenium, making it a healthy choice as well as a delicious one.

A pound of this white flesh salmon will set you back to up to $49.99.

2. Wild Alaskan King Salmon ($59.50/Pound)

The Wild Alaskan King Salmon is a highly prized variety of salmon, celebrated for its exquisite taste and large size. This salmon originates from the waters of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska.

The journey it undertakes to reach its final destination in Alaska’s Copper River is quite remarkable. It has to swim 300 miles between glaciers, a tiring journey during which the fish builds up its strength and muscle.

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One of the reasons for its hefty price tag is its rarity. Wild Alaskan King Salmon populations are less abundant than other species of salmon, making them less readily available. The Wild Alaskan King Salmon comes at a hefty price tag of $59.50 per pound.

1. Copper River King Salmon ($120/Pound)

The Copper River King Salmon, a true gem in the world of seafood, is renowned for its exceptional quality and unrivaled flavor. This salmon variety hails from the icy, pristine waters of Alaska’s Copper River, one of the world's longest and most rugged rivers. The challenging conditions of this river result in a truly extraordinary salmon.

Each year, these salmon embark on a strenuous journey up the Copper River to spawn. This journey is a test of endurance, requiring the salmon to store up large reserves of fat. It’s this fat, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, that gives the Copper River King Salmon its signature rich, buttery flavor and succulent texture.

The Copper River King Salmon is also known for its impressive size, often weighing over 30 pounds. Its flesh is a vibrant, deep orange color, a testament to its rich diet and healthy lifestyle.

Valued at an impressive $120 per pound, the Copper River King Salmon is known to be the most expensive salmon in the world.

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