According to Business Standard, this was primarily caused by the extremely cold winter during early 2008 in China, wiping out whole production areas. The news organisation claims that this led to an increase in the price of Tilapia. At the same time, production in other major countries remained almost the same or slightly higher. The forecast indicates normal production in China this year and some level of softening of prices.
Tilapia is finally becoming an attractive fish product in Europe, after years of reluctance by major importers. Lower export taxes prompted Metro Group to source 4,000 tonnes of Tilapia fillets from China.
Spain is also starting to look for Tilapia supplies. A major Spanish company is conducting studies on the potential for Tilapia production in Mozambique and Namibia. The same company owns a huge production plant in Brazil, with a capacity to produce 10,000 tonnes of Tilapia a year, reports Business Standard.
Tilapia Supply Slipped in 2008
GENERAL - Despite of the popularity of Tilapia, it's global position shrank 13 per cent in 2008 to 2.6 million tonnes
