Prospects of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) production in Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is a country with a large land area that features an extensive catchment area, a fact which gives the country a great potential for aquaculture. Despite this potential, fish production in the country is still low. Among fish farmed Nile tilapia has great potential due to its easy reproduction, white meat and high quality, low production costs and can even be grown in areas with high salinity and low temperatures. From 2003 there has been an increase in domestic consumption of fish and the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture has incentives to fish production in Brazil. The latest data from MPA (2014) showed that the country produces about 1.25 million tons of fish, these being 38% of farmed fish. The activity generates a GDP of R$ 5 billion and attracts more than 800,000 professionals, providing 3.5 million direct and indirect jobs. Against this background and the Brazilian potential for aquaculture, this review aims to present the main production data of Nile tilapia in Brazil and the potential of its cultivation in the country.