Creation and promoting frameworks of cultivated tilapia in China

Abstract

Tilapia has become one of the major species of aquatic products in close link with both domestic and international
markets. Nowadays, the demand for fish and fisheries product has being exacerbated by the continued increase in
human population the world over. This was due to the fact that global captured fishery was declining following the
increased human exploitation for the commercially important fishes. Aquaculture or fish farming has become one of
the solutions to maintaining the continuous supply of fish to commercial markets. China was by far the largest
producer and exporter of tilapia products irrespective of some constraints such as soaring production costs, price
and weather fluctuations. In the country, tilapia production was mostly carried out in the southern and southeastern
coastal areas where subtropical conditions favored the growth and reproduction of the species. This paper reports
on production and marketing systems of tilapia in China. Tilapia products produced in China had to pass through
different channels before reaching their final consumers. Major international markets for tilapia products produced in
China included among others, the United State, European Union and Russia. This work will guide potential investors
and competitors for tilapia market in China and the world at large