Ecuador - leading exporter of fresh tilapia to the USA

Ecuador is the biggest exporter of fresh tilapia fillets to the USA. In the period January-September 2003 they have exported 7.182 MT to the US, which represents a nice increase of 43% compared to the volume exported for the same period of 2002. This gives Ecuador a market share of 54% of the import market for fresh tilapia in USA. They are followed by Costa Rica and Honduras with respectively 23 and 15 percent market share. The average price so far this year indicates around $5.73/kg for fresh fillet.

Ecuador produces around 2% of the world production of tilapia, and amounts to around 30 000 MT. 95% of Ecuador's production is sold to the US market and the rest to Colombia and other smaller markets. Production is increasing as they are replacing shrimp production with tilapia production due to "white spot" and other shrimp diseases, but still using shrimp infrastructure. The use of polyculture is also a benefit for the shrimp culture. So far, around 30 000 hectares have been converted to tilapia farms. However, according to Seafood International, it is no saying that this will last, as tilapia offers far less return than shrimp, so it is possible that once the disease has been eliminated, the companies will switch back to shrimp monoculture.

Tilapia Imports to USA, January - September 2001-2003

USA has imported a total of 66 000 MT of tilapia in the period January - September 2003. This is an increase of 43% in volume and 45% in value, compared to the same period 2002.

China and Taiwan Republic of China are the indisputable market leaders of the US frozen tilapia market with a market share of 98% of the whole frozen tilapia and 76% of the IQF fillet market. The average price for frozen fillets is around $3.71/kg and whole frozen at $1.15/kg.

Prices in Europe are stable

Prices for Tilapia fillets, origin Zimbabwe, in Europe has been stable for many months around 7,10 €/kg C&F airport.

Ingelill Jacobsen
© 2003 FAO