April 7, 2015

Peru's tilapia export value rises 79% in first 2 months

Peru's tilapia exports increased 79.3% in terms of value during the first two months to US$434,500 compared with the same period last year, data showed.

According to the country's Association of Exporters (Adex), the two-month exports surpassed those of the same period in the previous five years: $64,000 in 2010; $129,300 in 2011; $306,500 in 2012; $229,600 in 2013; and $242,300 in 2014.

Most of the tilapia produced in Peru are still sold in the domestic market. Piura, Lima (Huacho) and San Martin are the major tilapia-producing regions.

The US was the main destination of Peruvian tilapia exports in January-February period. Exports to that county totaled $396,400, or 91.2% of the total value.

Peruvian tilapia still represents a small niche in the US, compared with its tilapia-exporting neighbours Colombia and Ecuador, Adex said.

It said South America's third-largest country is home to 668 tilapia farms, of which 476 are aquaculture centres with limited resources, 188 are smaller-scale; and 4 are larger-scale.

The total area devoted to tilapia-raising is 394.5 hectares.