Mexico Bets Big on Tilapia Self-Sufficiency

Editor/Mohamed Shihab

Boosting Aquaculture as a Pillar of Food Sovereignty

The Mexican government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, is launching a major initiative to strengthen tilapia production nationwide. The goal is to achieve self-sufficiency in this important product by 2030, recognizing its key role in community nutrition and well-being.

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO – Today, Julio Berdegué Sacristán, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, announced an ambitious plan to drive tilapia self-sufficiency in Mexico. During the inauguration of the forum "The Future of Tilapia in Mexico," organized by the National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission (Conapesca), Berdegué Sacristán emphasized aquaculture's crucial role in food production and national food sovereignty.

"A very important part of the future of food production — both fish and shellfish — lies in aquaculture. That's where we need to make a very strong commitment," the Secretary affirmed.

Tilapia represents a vital source of protein for human consumption and an economic engine for thousands of families. It's estimated that at least 81,000 people in Mexico are dedicated to aquaculture, with 45,000 directly involved in tilapia production. A significant fact is that 90% of these producers operate on a small scale, giving tilapia transcendental potential not only for food sovereignty but also for the well-being and quality of life in coastal and rural communities.

Tilapia: A Commitment to Well-being and Productivity

Secretary Berdegué Sacristán reiterated the Mexican government's commitment to social well-being, following the guidelines of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. "President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo continuously reminds us that the welfare of the people is the pillar of her government, and therefore, it is necessary to produce more food and rely on science, technology, and innovation," he highlighted, addressing aquaculturists, specialists, and officials from Conapesca and the Mexican Institute for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (IMIPAS).

Tilapia, known for its rapid growth and adaptability, reached a production value of 2.664 billion pesos in 2024, showing consistent growth in its cultivation. The challenge is significant: "It's an important challenge to achieve national self-sufficiency in tilapia by 2030. The first goal is to produce with great efficiency," Berdegué noted.

Colaboración Interinstitucional y Hoja de Ruta

To support the fisheries and aquaculture sector, the Mexican government will explore reactivating the Trust for Electricity Saving, an instrument under the Ministry of Energy. This initiative will seek to strengthen collaboration with state governments and other public institutions. "There is a commitment from the Ministry of Agriculture, by instruction of Mexico's president, to pay close attention to fishing and aquaculture," the SADER head stressed.

María José Espinosa Romero, Conapesca's General Coordinator of Institutional Operations and Strategy, agreed on the vital importance of tilapia, emphasizing its contribution to the livelihood of numerous families and to achieving the country's food and nutritional sovereignty and security.

During the forum, producers and experts will have the opportunity to debate the challenges and opportunities surrounding tilapia cultivation. Based on these discussions, a critical short, medium, and long-term roadmap will be defined, with Francisco Javier Martínez Cordero, Conapesca's Director General of Infrastructure, overseeing its implementation.

"You can count on Conapesca; we will be working together on this common goal for food security and to move closer to a future of well-being, of shared prosperity, through the future of tilapia in Mexico," concluded Espinosa Romero, reaffirming the institutional commitment to this strategic sector.

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