US Markets for Tilapia ProductsKevin Fitzsimmons, Ph.D. Professor, University of ArizonaVisiting Professor/Fulbright Scholar, Asian Institute of Technology / Kasetsart University Bangkok, ThailandSec/Tres, American Tilapia AssociationPresident, World Aquaculture SocietyTegucigalpa, HONDURASAugust 2004

IntroductionQuick review of tilapiaExplosion in tilapia tradeUS marketsOpportunities to expand markets

Tilapia productionCurrently second in volume to carpsPrediction: Tilapia will become most important aquaculture crop in this centuryWidest demand, no religious/cultural concerns, few environmental concernsMore genetic potentialGreatest variety of production systems

World Production

706000

90000

122277

100000

110000

52755

27000

50000

15000

75000

9200

40000

39000

25000

40000

World Tilapia Production of 1,501,232 mt in 2003

Data 2002

2003

China706,000

Taiwan Prov.90,000

Philippines122,277

Thailand100,000

Mexico110,000

Egypt52,755

Ecuador27,000

Indonesia50,000

Costa Rica15,000

Brasil75,000

United States9,200

Colombia40,000

Cuba39,000

Vietnam25,000

Others40,000

1,501,232

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Farmed around the world.Tilapia production in 100+ countries.China is worlds largest producer.Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Latin America, Egypt significant producersGermany, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Korea, Japan, most states in USTotal production >1,500,000 mt in 2003

Global Tilapia Sales (farmgate)For year 2000US $ 1,706,538,200 (FAO Fisheries Circular No. 886)

2003 sales >$ 2,500,000,000

2010 sales >$ 5,000,000,000

Tilapia - the aquatic chickenGrows in all kinds of farmsEats all kinds of foodLarge eggs and easy to rear youngLots of ways to prepare the fish

Ponds and cages

Intensive tank cultureTanks in ArizonaTanks in Eritrea

Raceway SystemsIntensive racewaysExtensive raceways

Intensive farms in buildings in cool climates

Intensive farms with recirculation in greenhouses

How did tilapia get so popular, so fast?

Tilapia - the Perfect Aquaculture Storm

Tilapia widely popular around the world and beyond.Common names: Tilapia, chambo, boulti, lou fei, pla nil, St. Peters fish, mojara, freshwater and/or red snapperUsed in many cuisine, hundreds of recipes, often replaces over-fished local speciesEggs hatched and fry reared on International Space Station

Environmentally correctPrimarily vegetarianMost farm systems cause little pollutionTilapia were long ago established as exotic species, common food fishGrown mostly in developing countriesFew diseases, essentially no chemicals used

Research & Development ISTA 6(Manila, Philippines, Sept 12 -16, 2004) International Symposia on Tilapia in Aquaculture

Genetic Improvements in Tilapia(From: Mair, G., 2002)

US Tilapia consumption - 2003(187,000 mt of live weight = 412,260,000 lbs)

US Sales of tilapiaImports in 2003 were $241,205,610US production of $30,000,000 at farm2003 sales were over $271,000,000

1994 - 2003 US tilapia sales (imports and domestic) exceeded one billion $$$

Top Ten Seafoods (U.S.)per capita (lbs)

Sheet1

200020012002

Tuna 3.5Shrimp 3.4Shrimp 3.7

Shrimp 3.2Tuna 2.9Tuna 3.1

Pollock 1.6Salmon 2.0Salmon 2.0

Salmon 1.5Pollock 1.2Pollock 1.1

Catfish 1.1Catfish 1.1Catfish 1.1

Cod 0.8Cod 0.6Cod 0.66

Clams 0.5Clams 0.5Crabs 0.57

Crabs 0.4Crabs 0.4Clams 0.54

Flatfish 0.4Flatfish 0.4Tilapia 0.40

Scallops 0.3Tilapia 0.35Flatfish 0.32

Tilapia 0.28

Major fresh fillet buyers (US)Major restaurant chains (Darden: Red Lobster, Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, Landrys: Joes CrabShack, Wille Gs, Rainforest Cafe), Ruby Tuesday, Applebees).Major grocery chains (Safeway, Kroger, Winn-Dixie, Wegmans, Publix, Bashas)Food service (supply small restaurant & grocery chains) - SYSCO, Fleming Co., Shamrock

US. Tilapia imports 1993-2002

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11068130929106200366723550357

16214213111917261026312051048728

153932580888184180113416221301833

175333217211271420066917227291244

230564986231811444571732866771457

27353662322118443593026564521812

3299369305751670779734393972858

34000751997105821757324884113

Taiwan

Costa Rica

Ecuador

Jamaica

Mexico

China

Colombia

Indonesia

Thailand

others

(LWE in metric tons)

Sources of imported tilapia to US

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11068130929106200366723550357

16214213111917261026312051048728

153932580888184180113416221301833

175333217211271420066917227291244

230564986231811444571732866771457

27353662322118443593026564521812

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Taiwan

Costa Rica

Ecuador

Jamaica

Mexico

China

Colombia

Indonesia

Thailand

others

(LWE in metric tons)

Sources of imported tilapia to US

Bar graph of imports

1993199419951996199719981999200020012002

China000057593779717,5732011734875.5

Colombia36626311346691709096

Costa Rica1309213125803217498666236930751993278904

Ecuador29119888211223182211575197101529619010.6

Honduras(4313 included in others)7836

Indonesia723120516221722328626563439248865796687.3

Jamaica1061721847141144844670582357

Mexico20611820432200

Taiwan11068162141539317533230562735332993340003698729316.2

Thailand55010481301729677452397347686

others35772883312441457181228584113598110638

145282194123953279603700242547608667633295426

117267.6

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Taiwan

Costa Rica

Ecuador

Jamaica

Mexico

China

Colombia

Indonesia

Thailand

others

(LWE in metric tons)

Sources of imported tilapia to US

Data sheet

1992 (last 6 months)19931994199519961997199819992000

WholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWE

lblblblblblblblblblblblblblblblblblblblblb (kg)lb (kg)lb (kg)lb (kg)lb (kg)lb (kg)lb (kg)lb (kg)(kg)(kg)(kg)(kg)(kg)(kg)(kg)(kg)

Chinain (Others)in otherskg 105455kg 1610351529051,52956,68243525938102473,361593,09149402957874415,727,7367,796,64811,222,1981,742,85612,965,05417,572,986

Colombia33,999159,631193,630516,29147,159254,124301,283814,24711,286190,876202,162585,0440839,900839,9002,519,7000495,252495,2521,485,756055665,56616,6980000030293,0299,08700

Costa Rica22,289309,590331,878953,2870969,951969,9512,909,85301,578,4381,578,4384,735,31501,911,1171,911,1175,733,35102,383,0712,383,0717,149,2131760516556071,673,2124,986,187336222062902,209,6526,622,568023101432,310,1436,930,429025061762,506,1767,518,528

Ecuador0000021,73021,73065,190088,31488,314264,94450,402639,056689,4581,972,610871,3571,245,2902,116,6474,694,363170823709930880,7532,317,69531245725603756,8482,211,17914937518621722,011,5475,750,82920743.23229216.83,249,9609,710,468

Indonesia55,20130,06685,267150,9200535,751535,7511,607,25339,519878,187917,7062,678,03201,201,1121,201,1123,603,33601,275,7651,275,7653,827,295010954701,095,4703,286,4100885296885,2962,655,888011463311,146,3313,438,9932160828614.4830,7742,488,219

Jamaica23,1176,76829,88645,73454,56458,248112,812234,7640127,316127,316381,94938,371122,446160,817409,54621,285521,383542,6681,587,5631039380886381,9251,143,8010281252281,252843,7560223275223,275669,8250193848193,848581,544

Mexico0000015,06615,06645,198045,14445,144135,43229,9762,17832,15439,508014,58814,58843,764012231,2233,669010571,0573,171072817,28121,8430000

Taiwan6,310,255163,0026,473,2577,430,28521,342,717373,19921,715,91624,596,58623,471,0503,404,56426,875,61436,031,84626,269,3941,769,82928,039,22334,205,82031,771,2641,337,77333,109,03738,961,7091864035485056119,490,91523,056,07220995322141926022,414,58227,352,63422055115291089424,966,00932,993,30913108922.41679990.414,788,91319,459,786

Thailand82,613118,857201,470447,444119,227363,836483,0631,222,658235,486689,847925,3332,328,57787,267932,0171,019,2842,892,045136,295489,864626,1591,619,5173992224170228,162676,90135235137669172,904451,76647252114923162,175396,7464698098556145,536347,346

1888534249234132150042356945292719203793654892440100410279257.6

Others147,0788,338155,416186,800584,77950,309635,088794,1841,142,079120,3601,262,4391,617,359125,270570,995696,2651,850,780733,698652,7901,386,4882,765,438236,989398,617635,6061,456,53934021591399625,4201,811,6201014219155901,017,0112,858,33319047813011481,491,6264,112,970

60,866,04161,791,847

TOTAL6,674,552796,2517,470,8039,737,00022,148,4462,642,21424,790,66032,285,00024,899,4207,123,04632,022,46648,758,49826,600,6807,988,65034,589,33053,226,69633,533,8998,415,77641,949,67562,134,61719,122,3315,322,03024,444,36137,000,65421534444628592827,820,37242,545,672272934581028107937,574,53760,866,04124591482.411580405.636,171,88861,791,847

1992 (last 6 months)199319941995199619971998

WholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWEWholeFilletTotalLWETotalLWE

metric tonmtmtmtkgmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmtmt

Chinain (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)0in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)in (Others)52052574353847359300

Colombia157287232021114136366058691263003783781,134002232236690066170000039

Costa Rica10139149429004364361,309007107102,131008608602,580001,0721,0723,2170181,6561,6734,986032,2062,2106,6232,3106,930

Ecuador00000010102900404011902328831088803925609522,11201717108812,3180317267572,2112,0125,751

Indonesia25143868002412417230183954131,205005415411,622005745741,722001,0951,0953,286008858852,6561,1463,439

Jamaica103132102526511060057571720175572184010235244714013813821,14400281281844223670

Mexico000000772000202061013114180077200011400113722

Taiwan2,840732,9133,34409,6041689,77211,068010,5621,53212,09416,214011,82179612,61815,393014,29760214,89917,533018,64085119,49123,056020,9951,41922,41527,35324,96632,993

Thailand37539120105416421755001063104161,0480394194591,30106122028272904224228677035138173452162397

Others664708402632328635705145456872805625731383303302946241,24402373996361,4570345916251,8121,0172,858

TOTAL3,0043583,3624,38209,9671,18911,15614,528011,2053,20514,41021,941011,9703,59515,56523,952015,0903,78718,87727,961019,1225,32224,44437,001021,5346,28627,82042,54637,57560,866

&CTable 6. US Tilapia Imports 1992-1998

$ 174,215,165 (2002) $241,205,610 (2003)

Chart1

Chart1

3249752218332812596206

4816226649355614275119

7908592897580517163129

11653849746836223895286

139976521128380524183503

170511421195981223729062

258412542218886033866855

416866801930873231697654.4

608390572890499438052489

816938894848999144031285

1019904778405105355164080

Fillet Fresh

Fillet Frozen

Whole Frozen

$ US

Figure 2. Value of Tilapia product forms imported to the U.S.

Tilapia imports

kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)

1992199319941995199619971998199920002001

Fillet Fresh2165868901460206328233590531070698611

Fillet Frozen14561223472166169824992696497145115786

Whole Frozen3028100461131812063152671912221534272932459127689

$$$$$$$$$

199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003

Fillet Fresh108817432497524816226790859211653849139976521705114225841254416866806083905781,693,889101,990,477269,826,267

Fillet Frozen4615972183328649355689758057468362112838051195981222188860193087322890499448,489,99184,051,053167,718,842

Whole Frozen44761941259620614275119171631292389528624183503237290623386685531697654.43805248944,031,28555,164,080267,966,782

705,511,891

Fillet Fresh

Fillet Frozen

Whole Frozen

$ US

Value of Tilapia product forms imported to the U.S. 2002

1993

1993

1993

1994

1994

1994

1995

1995

1995

1996

1996

1996

1997

1997

1997

1998

1998

1998

1999

1999

1999

2000

2000

2000

2001

2001

2001

2002

2002

2002

3249752

2183328

12596206

4816226

6493556

14275119

7908592

8975805

17163129

11653849

7468362

23895286

13997652

11283805

24183503

17051142

11959812

23729062

25841254

22188860

33866855

41686680

19308732

31697654.4

60839057

28904994

38052489

81693889

48489991

44031285

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Tilapia imports

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

000

Fillet Fresh

Fillet Frozen

Whole Frozen

Metric tons

Figure 1. Tilapia product forms imported to the U.S.

Tilapia consumption

Fillet Fresh

Fillet Frozen

Whole Frozen

$ US

Figure 2. Value of Tilapia product forms imported to the U.S.

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METRIC TONS

199319941995199619971998199920002001

Fillet Fresh586890146020632823359053107069

Fillet Frozen6122347216616982499269649714511

Whole Frozen1004611318120631526719122215342729324591

Live Sales568259006852750686369089

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17,952 mt fresh fillets, 23,249 mt frozen fillets, 49,045 mt whole frozen (2003)

Chart1

58661210046

890234711318

1460216612063

2063169815267

2823249919122

3590269621534

5310497127293

7069451124591

8611578627689

141871225240748

179522324949045

Fillet Fresh

Fillet Frozen

Whole Frozen

Metric tons

Tilapia product forms imported to the U.S.

Tilapia imports

kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)kg (000)

199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003

Fillet Fresh21658689014602063282335905310706986111418717952

Fillet Frozen145612234721661698249926964971451157861225223249

Whole Frozen30281004611318120631526719122215342729324591276894074849045

Totals33891124414555156891902824444278203757436171420866718790246

$$$$$$$$$

199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003

Fillet Fresh108817432497524816226790859211653849139976521705114225841254416866806083905781,693,889101,990,477269,826,267

Fillet Frozen4615972183328649355689758057468362112838051195981222188860193087322890499448,489,99184,051,053167,718,842

Whole Frozen44761941259620614275119171631292389528624183503237290623386685531697654.43805248944,031,28555,164,080267,966,782

705,511,891

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Tilapia imports

Fillet Fresh

Fillet Frozen

Whole Frozen

Metric tons

Figure 1. Tilapia product forms imported to the U.S.

Tilapia consumption

Fillet Fresh

Fillet Frozen

Whole Frozen

$ US

Figure 2. Value of Tilapia product forms imported to the U.S.

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METRIC TONS

199319941995199619971998199920002001

Fillet Fresh586890146020632823359053107069

Fillet Frozen6122347216616982499269649714511

Whole Frozen1004611318120631526719122215342729324591

Live Sales568259006852750686369089

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Major Tilapia Producers (for year 2002)China - 706,000 metric tons / yearPhilippines - 122,277 mt / yearMexico - 110,000 mt / yearThailand - 100,000 mt / yearTaiwan Province - 90,000 mt / yearBrasil - 75,000 mt / year Indonesia - 50,000 mt / year

Consumer evolution in USEthnic buyers (Asian - Latino)Up-scale restaurantsCasual diningClub storesLocal groceries

US Tilapia Supply and DemandSupply of fresh fillets primarily from Central America and EcuadorFrozen fillets from China and Southeast Asia.Demand for live fish in immigrant Asian communities

Fresh tilapia fillet productsSize (under 3 oz, < 85 g) 3-5 oz, 85 - 140 g 4-6 oz, 110 - 170 g 5-7 oz, 140 - 195 g over 7 oz, > 195 gSkin on, shallow skin or deep skinIndividual wrap, 2 or 5 kg package, master pack

Fresh tilapia fillet product pricesFOB MiamiSize (under 3 oz, < 85 g) $2.80 - 3.00/lb 3-5 oz, 85 - 140 g $3.00 - 3.10/lb 4-6 oz, 110 - 170 g $3.10 - 3.25/lb 5-7 oz, 140 - 195 g $3.15 - 3.40/lb over 7 oz, > 195 g $3.35 - 3.55/lbVariation in prices due to skinning, packaging, volumes and history with buyerAdditional variations with terms of payment

Quality control and assuranceNational standardsISO and HACCP (Hazard Analysis at Critical Control Points)Industry standardsBuyer standardsOther (NGOs)

Advertising

Current US Market TrendsIncrease in demand for all forms of tilapiaDemand increase will be greatest for fresh filletsPrices have been constant for several years and will remain stable, will not increase with inflation

IQF Fillets

Smoked products

Impacts of Industrial Production of TilapiaSpin-off some products into local marketsAvailability of prepared feedsAvailability of domesticated stocksPossibility of more production cooperatives

Historic consequencesForeign investment, new jobs, and improved standard of livingForeign trade and reliable incomeImports of technology and know-how (especially processing, handling and packaging)Spin-off to other aquacultureImprovements in personal hygieneMany jobs for women

Historic consequencesDesire of small farmers to adopt methods of large growersIncrease in effluent generationEutrophication from lake cage farmsIncrease in conflicts with fish eating birdsImports of sex reverse hormonesImproved basic farming practices

Historic consequences (Industry by-products)Leather goods from skin will become a significant contributor to profitabilityPharmaceuticals from skinsFormed fish productsFertilizerFish meal

PredictionsTendency for small farmers to overshoot level of technologyMore organic tilapia productsCut back on high level of protein in tilapia dietsBird netting to discourage birdsReduction in MT for sex reversalIntegrated farming to reuse effluents for crop irrigation

PredictionsWorld tilapia production (1,265,780 mt in 2000, FAO) reached 1,500,000 mt in 2003 and 2,000,000 mt by 2010

Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program

Thank you!Questions?The Aquaculture CRSP is funded in part by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Grant No. LAG-G-00-96-90015-00 and by participating institutions.