April 2, 2007

Tilapia output grew 33.6 percent in China's Hainan for 2006
 

Tilapia production in China's Hainan province grew 33.6 percent in volume and 17.3 percent in value last year.

Last year, breeding area for tilapia in the province reached 260,000 mu (17,420 hectares) with 195,000 tonne production worth RMB 1.37 billion (US$177.2 million).

Tilapia has become the signature freshwater species from Hainan and has become one of the main revenue generating channels of the province.

The province said it would continue to push for the industrialization of tilapia breeding this year to enhance the growth of the industry.

These efforts include support for the ongoing construction of the Tilapia Breeding Demonstration Farm, expansion of the Wenchang Tilapia Export Demonstration Farm and the building of the 10-km long corridor for the breeding of a local species of tilapia from Qionghai city.

The province plans to plans to add 44,000 mu (2,948 hectares) to tilapia breeding area and refurbish 17,000 mu (1,139 hectares) of old ponds this year. This would add about 50,000 tonnes to current production.    

Hainan's tilapia exports have continued to do well this year, with exports the first two months growing significantly from the same period last year.