Tilapia is on its way to becoming the next global force in Brazilian protein
Edotor/Mohamed Shihab
“Brazil is the world’s fourth largest tilapia producer – behind only China, Indonesia and Egypt. We produce around 600 thousand tons per year. In 2022, aquaculture surpassed capture fishing production. These facts lead us to believe that, in 25 years, aquaculture will be able to produce more than chicken and pork”, said Mario Sergio Cutait, director and shareholder of Grupo MCassab Nutrição e Saúde Animal, owner of Fider Pescados, at the International Animal Protein Show (SIAVS), in São Paulo (SP).
During a panel on the future of animal proteins, Cutait highlighted that tilapia has all the conditions to become the next force in Brazilian protein. There are several reasons. Brazil has more than 5 million hectares of freshwater reservoirs and has abundant grain production. In addition, the climate is favorable and there is growing demand from the domestic and foreign markets. Furthermore, the production of farmed fish is expected to increase by 10% per year until 2032.
“This is fantastic news for Brazil. Tilapia is following the same path as chicken 50 years ago. And, even better, we have the logistics to export fresh fillets by air to the United States, the largest consumer of tilapia in the world. The genetic and nutritional improvement of the species is also undeniable, which provides periodic gains in productivity. Not to mention the sustainable production, which is characteristic of our country,” adds Mario Sergio Cutait.
The director of the MCassab Group also explained at the event the reasons that drive Fider’s production, which is growing year after year. “The company produces 10,000 tons of tilapia per year in its modern processing unit in Rifaina (SP). In addition, it has a Permanent Preservation Area with several species at risk of extinction. Fider combines production with preservation and is shaping the future of fish farming in the country,” concluded Cutait.
About MCassab
The MCassab Group is a 95-year-old, professionally managed, national family organization that distributes to the Brazilian and Latin American markets. Headquartered in São Paulo (SP), the company is present in the major capitals of Brazil, in addition to offices in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, China and India. The Animal Nutrition and Health business is one of the largest in Brazil, operating with specialties and ingredients for poultry, swine, beef and dairy cattle, aquaculture and petfood. Fider Pescados, which is dedicated to the creation and development of products from tilapia.
The Distribution business serves the industrial sector by supplying raw materials for cosmetics, household and institutional cleaning, pharmaceutical, veterinary, chemical and agricultural applications. NUTROR offers customized premixes to the food, beverage, supplement and clinical nutrition markets.
About Fider
The company, headquartered in Rifaina (SP), has a modern breeding and industrial complex, with respect for the environment, water quality and people. Fider products supply the main cities in the Southeast and are exported to seven countries, including the United States.
Source: Panorama da Aquicultura (translated from original in Portuguese)
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