January 28, 2014
US demand pushes Chinese tilapia farmers to switch approach
Chinese tilapia farmers are shifting their production methods to farm smaller fish in two cycles, as a result of demand from US retailers, said Jason Carter, the marketing director and co-founder of tilapia producer Elite Seafood.
Instead of farming larger fish for production into 5-7 ounce fillets, farmers are increasingly producing smaller tilapia, which can be used for 2-5 ounce fillets for sale in a one-pound bag, Carter said.
Demand from USretailer Walmart, is the driving force of this, said Carter. The advantages for farmers are numerous, he said, adding his company is not going in this direction. Also, they can get in two production cycles, not just one, said Carter.
Elite, however, is sticking to what it is good at. "We will stick to the bigger size fish, which is what our customers demand and where we feel we have expertise," he said.
Elite, which was founded by Carter and J.C. Chou in 2002, is focused on the production of high quality products for buyers that demand this. It is now expanding its farming, having acquired three new farms last year.
As for the notion that emerging countries producing tilapia could up production and compete with China, Carter is sceptical, at least on frozen.