The company Aquafinca announced that it plans to increase production of tilapia fillets by 40%, with an investment of between $10 and $15 million starting from 2019.
Fabricio López, manager of the company, assured the Honduran media that currently they produce about 28 thousand tons of tilapia fillet, and that with the planned investment they will increase total production by 40%, with the objective of serving new markets, such as the Caribbean.
Exporters of farmed shrimp, tilapia, melons, Asian vegetables, pineapple, grapefruit, banana and cocoa are negotiating the entry of products into the European market.
The United States is the main market due to its proximity, but with new technologies for food preservation, lengthening their lifespans by up to four weeks, it is expected that more distant markets will be reached.
Starting July 17th the categorization of products according to their health risk will be applied and a 15 day shipping notice will be required to import those labelled as "high risk."
A new "Directive on sanitation and phytosanitation for the facilitation of trade in goods and shipments in Central America", adopted by the Council of Ministers for Economic Integration (Comieco), approved in January and which will come into effect from Thursday, July 17, could detract agility from intraregional trade, warns the Exporters Corporation of El Salvador (Coexport).
Aquafeed will produce 100 thousand tons of feed for fish and shrimp for its partner Aquafinca other aquaculture businesses.
The new company, which has set itself up in the town of San Francisco de Yojoa, was created through a partnership between Aquafinca and Gisis S.A. of Ecuador.
Orlando Delgado, Aquafinca's manager, explained that previously fish food had to be imported from Ecuador but with this new company that will not be necessary.
The use of air transport for exports of tilapia, fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants grew by 15% compared those in 2012.
The continued interest of countries in Europe, in addition to the traditional markets of the U.S. and Mexico, has led to increased Honduran exports.
Miguel Sierra, an official at the airport cargo terminal Ramón Villeda Morales, said that the situation has improved external reach, as previously these products were exported by sea.
Market studies reveal great opportunities in the U.S. market for ready to consume tilapia fillets.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Fresh tilapia fillets which are ready to prepare became today the most important choice for the farmers in the Department of Huila in Colombia, when competing in the world market.
The fish farm Aquafinca Saint Peter Fish S.A. is the first production plant for Honduran tilapia to receive the Best Aquaculture Practices certification.
In order to promote responsible practice in the aquaculture industry, the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) has coordinated the development of Certification Standards of Best Aquaculture Practices (Best Aquaculture Practices - BAP) for hatchery facilities, farms and processing plants.
Both countries are vying to be the number 1 exportor of fresh tilapia fillets to the U.S. market.
In 2011 Honduras ranked as the largest exporter of tilapia to the U.S., but, for the first half of this year, first place goes to Ecuador.
Orlando Delgado, general manager Aquafinca, told Tiempo.hn,
"Up to the end of the first semester Honduran producers exported nearly nine million pounds, representing an income of $33 million in foreign exchange, and at the end of this one ,we hope to reach 19 million pounds which would represent another 60 million. He explained that the results of FTA for this item have not caused significant changes since the product still enters freely althgouh for other products it has been beneficial and positive. "
Tilapia exports to Europe and the U.S. increased by five percent in the first half of the year.
The increase is of about nine million pounds, representing $30 million in foreign exchange.
Orlando Delgado, manager of the company Aqua Finca Saint Peter Fish also noted that there has been an increase in exports to Mexico.
With respect to Honduras’ main competitor in the export of tilapia, Ecuador, the executive added to Latribuna.hn that "with our flagship product, tilapia filet, we are serving Mexico in an important way."
The country is already the world's leading exporter of tilapia fillets, which have now begun to sell well in Mexico and Canada.
Farmers who grow tilapia have added Mexico and Canada as recent export destinations, which should help them get about $60 million in additional revenue, an 8% growth, said businessmen.
"This year (2011) we managed to export a product with more added value, which are the spines of tilapia fillet, it adds an additional value to the steak, and it is directed at the upper middle class segment of the market that is positioned in the United States, and recently we started direct exports to Mexico with a volume of 200,000 pounds", said Orlando Delgado, manager of the company Aquafinca Saint Peter Fish, according ElHeraldo.hn.
With a total of $60 million worth of tilapia fillet exported, Honduras has surpassed Ecuador as the largest supplier to the U.S.
Orlando Delgado manager of the company Aqua Finca Saint Peter Fish, said that during the first half of the year export totaled 4.5 million kilos representing an income of $30 million and expectations for this year are close to a historic volume of close to 8 6 million kilos.
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In 2010 the country recorded Tilapia sales to the U.S. for 16.5 million pounds, generating $ 50 million in revenues.
Orlando Delgado, General Manager of Aqua Villa, which is dedicated to Tilapia farming, told Latribuna.hn: "This places the country as the number one producer and exporter of fresh tilapia fillets to the United States."
The producer considers 2010 as very satisfactory, taking into account the financial difficulties of its main buyer, the United States.
Tilapia exporters expect to top their current sales of $60 million a year once the agreement with the European Union becomes a reality.
Honduras is one of the world’s leading producers of fresh tilapia, followed by Ecuador.
Erick Baide, from company Aqua Finca Saint Peter Fish, told newspaper La Tribuna: “We have all the required sanitary and legal permits to sell in Europe. We are willing to do it once market conditions are favorable”.