Tilapia Production in the Americas

Kevin Fitzsimmons, Ph.D.

Professor - University of ArizonaSec. / Tres. - American Tilapia Association

President - US. Aquaculture Soc. Chapter of WAS

May 28, 2001

Tilapia introductions to the Americas

Oreochromis mossambicus first in the Caribbean in 1949 by C.F. Hickling

To United States in 1954 Oreochromis aureus introduced in 1957 Throughout the Americas by 1970 Oreochromis niloticus into Brazil 1971 Red strains developed in 1970’s and 80’s Oreochromis niloticus spreads in 1990’s Total production of 257,000 mt in 2000

Production widely distributed around the Americas.

Tilapia introduced to every countryTilapia, mojarra, St. Peters fish,

Jamaican freshwater snapper, Cherry Snapper

Used in hundreds of recipesLive, Whole, fillets, fresh and frozen,

smoked

Production systems used in the Americas

Ranching (lake releases) Ponds (extensive and intensive) CagesRaceways, round tanks, recirculating

systemsFreshwater, Brackish water, Estuarine,

and Marine

Extensive production in ponds and cages

Farm pond in Brazil Reservoir pond in Arizona

Cages in irrigation ditches

Intensive ponds

Ponds in Arizona

Ponds in Costa Rica

Intensive tanks

Tanks in Arizona

Tanks in California

Intensive Raceway Systems

Raceways in ArizonaRaceways in Mexico

Production directly in irrigation delivery ditches

Pond culture to cotton irrigation

Tilapia in the Americas

Major Tilapia Producers in the Americas ( for year 2000)

Mexico - 102,000 metric tons/yearBrazil - 45,000 mt / yearCuba - 39,000 mt / yearColombia - 23,000 mt / yearEcuador - 15,000 mt / yearCosta Rica - 10,000 mt / yearUSA - 8,200 mt / year Honduras - 5,000 mt / year

Major Tilapia Products in International Trade

Costa Rica - fresh filletsEcuador - fresh and frozen filletsHonduras and Jamaica - fresh and

frozen filletsMexico, Brazil, Colombia, USA -

all domestic, no exports

Estimated cost of production

Costa Rica - $1.20 / kgBrazil - $1.10 / kgEcuador - $1.10 / kgMexico - $1.30 / kgJamaica - $1.20 / kgUSA - $2.00 / kg

International markets

Costa Rica was first major exporterEcuador is now major exporter from the

Americas Honduras has rapid expansionColombia, Cuba, Brazil and Mexico are

supplying strong domestic marketsPrices on international markets will not

increase from present levels.

International markets

Ecuador has passed Costa Rica as supplier of fillets to US

Ecuador integrating with shrimp production

Colombia and Mexico were exporters to US, but exports levels decreased while production increased

Source of US Tilapia supply 2000 (by volume)

2000 US Tilapia Supply

OTHER4%

CHINA24%

JAMAICA1%

COSTA RICA10%

ECUADOR13%

INDONESIA3%

TAIWAN28%

HONDURAS5%

US12%

US. Tilapia imports 1993-2000

Sources of imported tilapia to US

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

(LW

E in

met

ric

tons

)

others

Thailand

Indonesia

Colombia

China

Mexico

Jamaica

Ecuador

Costa Rica

Taiwan

Tilapia Production in the US = Live Sales

Intensive farm in Iowa, USA

Intensive farm in Iowa, USA

Tilapia production in Mexico

Production in most states of MexicoIntensive in north, lake ranching in

southStrong domestic marketsWill eventually develop export

markets.

Tilapia production in MexicoTilapia-shrimp farm in Sonora

Pond Tilapia farm in Tamaulipas

Tilapia production in Ecuador

Replacing shrimp because of white spot disease

Using shrimp infrastructureExporting to US and EUWill they revert to shrimp if

disease is controlled?

Tilapia aquaculture in EcuadorTILAPIA PRODUCTION IN ECUADOR

0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000

14,000

16,000

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Year

Pro

du

ctio

n (

mt)

Tilapia production in BrazilPond culture, cage culture in

reservoirs Fee fishing and skins for leather

Tilapia in Colombia

Before 1980, Colombia had strong domestic market

Developed export trade to USDomestic market has grown so strong

that exports were suspendedColombia imports tilapia from

Venezuela and Ecuador

Tilapia aquaculture in Colombia

TILAPIA PRODUCTION IN COLOMBIA

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000

Year

Pro

du

ctio

n (

mt)

Rio Linda Tilapia farm in Colombia

International market changes

Increasing domestic consumption in producing countries especially Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica

Colombia starting to export again, Mexico and Brazil will follow

Current International Market Trends

Increase in demand for all forms of tilapia

Demand increase will be greatest for fresh fillets

Prices have been constant for several years and will remain stable, will not increase with inflation.

Current International Market Trends

US and EU growers will concentrate on live sales and highly processed forms

Latin America and Southeast Asia will be primary US suppliers

Latin America, Caribbean and Africa will supply EU

New product forms

Smoked tilapia Sashimi grade tilapia

Changes and Predictions

Further intensification in virtually every country

Production will be 75% Oreochromis niloticus, 20% Red strains, O. aureus and O. mossambicus mostly for hybridization

Production will be 50% intensive ponds, 25% cages, 10% intensive recirculating systems

Changes and Predictions Further intensification in virtually every country

Production will be 75% Oreochromis niloticus, 20% Red strains, O. aureus and O. mossambicus mostly for hybridization

Production will be 50% intensive ponds, 25% cages, 10% intensive recirculating systems

Changes and Predictions Further intensification in virtually every country Production will be 75% Oreochromis niloticus, 20% Red

strains, O. aureus and O. mossambicus mostly for hybridization

Production will be 50% intensive ponds, 25% cages, 10% intensive recirculating systems

Changes and Predictions

Leather goods from skin will become a significant contributor to profitability

Processing and "value-adding" will intensify in producing

countries Polyculture with shrimp will become common in most

shrimp farming areas

Changes and PredictionsProcessing and "value-adding" will

intensify in producing countries

Polyculture with shrimp will become common in most shrimp farming areas

Changes and Predictions

US production will increase slowly, intensifying current production methods

Changes and Predictions US production will increase slowly, intensifying current

production methods

Production in the Americas will reach 500,000 mt by 2010 and 1,000,000 mt by 2020

Dawn of Tilapia Aquaculture in the Americas