The central pillar of Latin America’s growing influence in the tilapia market is its production capacity, both in terms of volume and in terms of consistency. Among producing countries, Brazil stands out for its sheer scale and dynamism. With over 600 000 tonnes of annual tilapia output (662 230 tonnes in 2024), the country has consolidated itself as the region’s largest producer and one of the most important globally (4th place worldwide). Much of this growth is rooted in well-developed freshwater aquaculture production hubs, strengthened by cooperative networks, the introduction of improved genetics, and a growing number of farms adopting best aquaculture practices.

Colombia, while smaller in absolute tonnage, has achieved a level of specialisation that positions it differently within the global supply chain. According to national export statistics from AUNAP, Colombia exported 17 000 tonnes of tilapia during the first half of 2025. Although comparable first-semester data for 2024 are not available, annual figures from GTT indicate that Colombia exported 13 841 tonnes in 2024, representing a 10 percent decrease compared with the previous year. Most of this volume consists of high-quality fresh fillets destined for the US market. The country’s competitive edge lies in its integration of vertically aligned companies, high sanitary standards, and a combination of favourable water temperatures and year-round production cycles that enable consistent supply.

Other countries in the region, notably Mexico, Honduras and Costa Rica, contribute to a growing and diversified production base, though their export shares remain more modest. What distinguishes Latin America as a whole is not only the volume being produced, but the accelerating improvements in productivity and yield. Investment in genetics and breeding has played a key role. One notable example is the genetically edited tilapia line developed through collaboration between Brazilian producers and the Center for Aquaculture Technologies. Early evaluations indicate improved growth rates, better feed efficiency and higher fillet yields. These developments could have long-term consequences for cost structures and environmental performance if regulatory frameworks evolve accordingly.

This intersection of natural conditions, technological innovation and professional management is gradually redefining the region’s identity from a promising but peripheral player to a consolidated pillar of the global industry.

While Latin America’s production growth is essential, the region’s rise as an export hub is even more striking. Fresh tilapia fillets have become the defining feature of the region’s global presence, particularly in the United States market. During the first half of 2025, the United States imported 9 600 tonnes of fresh tilapia fillets, according to Global Trade Tracker (GTT) data provided by FAO GLOBEFISH. Of this volume, Brazil alone supplied 3 380 tonnes, positioning itself as one of the top sources of fresh fillets (around one third).

This is a significant development, especially considering that the United States, the world’s second-largest importer of fish and seafood after the European Union, plays an outsized role in shaping global demand patterns for tilapia. Fresh fillets remain a niche segment compared to frozen whole fish and frozen fillets, yet they command higher prices and are closely associated with supply reliability, traceability and sustainability, characteristics the region is increasingly known for.

Colombia’s export profile complements Brazil’s growth. Whereas Brazil is scaling up rapidly, Colombia has consolidated its reputation for premiumquality fillets with consistent sensory attributes, strong certification adoption and excellent compliance with US regulatory requirements. The presence of integrated companies with control over all production stages, including breeding, grow-out, processing and logistics, has ensured tight control of product quality and cold-chain integrity. In the first half of the year, Colombia shipped 3 840 tonnes of fresh tilapia fillets to the United States, a volume that, like Brazil, also represents close to one-third of total US imports. However, Colombia’s share has been gradually declining as Brazil continues to gain ground in this segment.

Beyond Brazil and Colombia, Mexico and Honduras maintain stable trade flows of fresh fillets and processed tilapia products, contributing to a regionally diversified supply portfolio. Taken together, these countries are redefining expectations around what Latin America can offer to global buyers.

In Mexico’s case, the dynamics differ from the export-oriented model seen elsewhere in the region. Although domestic tilapia farming has expanded steadily, production still falls short of national demand, and the country continues to rely heavily on imported supply to meet consumption needs. This gap has prompted authorities to frame tilapia as a strategic species for food security and rural development, with efforts now directed at strengthening technical capacity, promoting innovation and improving production efficiency. Public programmes aimed at small-scale farmers, coordinated by national research and aquaculture institutions, have begun to modernise the sector and reinforce its long-term resilience. Together, these initiatives reflect Mexico’s intention to reduce its dependence on imports while modernising the sector and positioning tilapia more prominently within national food systems.

In Honduras, the picture has shifted more dramatically. The country played a key role in fresh tilapia fillet exports for many years, largely supported by the cage-farming operations in Lake Yojoa. However, a series of regulatory and environmental developments significantly altered the sector. The administration suspended environmental licences for industrial aquaculture in Yojoa on technical and scientific grounds, halting the start of new production cycles and triggering a progressive closure of farms. This measure, combined with the elimination of exploitation permits in natural reserves, rising production costs and reported fish mortality linked to climate variability, led to a marked decline in output. Authorities later confirmed that Yojoa will remain closed to tilapia farming and that production plants will be transferred, amid concerns about employment and the long-term restructuring of the sector.

Ecuador was also an important supplier in the early 2000s, when tilapia farming expanded rapidly as producers diversified in response to shrimp disease outbreaks, particularly white spot syndrome. During that period, the country increased its exports of fresh fillets to the United States, positioning tilapia as a complementary aquaculture product alongside shrimp. However, this momentum gradually slowed as regional competitors consolidated their presence in the US market and Asian producers strengthened their role in frozen tilapia trade. Although Ecuador maintains a stable, US-oriented tilapia industry, its current export scale is significantly smaller than that of Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, or Honduras, and the sector plays a secondary role compared with shrimp.

A key factor influencing global tilapia trade, and one that directly affects Latin America, is the changing regulatory landscape, particularly in the United States. Environmental and human-rights considerations are increasingly embedded into import policies, influencing purchasing decisions by retailers, distributors and foodservice companies.A key factor influencing global tilapia trade, and one that directly affects Latin America, is the changing regulatory landscape, particularly in the United States. Environmental and human-rights considerations are increasingly embedded into import policies, influencing purchasing decisions by retailers, distributors and foodservice companies.

Recent tariff adjustments, although applied broadly across sectors, have introduced higher costs for certain Asian suppliers. While the intention of these measures is not specifically tied to tilapia, the indirect effect has been a re-evaluation of sourcing strategies by US buyers. For Latin America, this creates an immediate opportunity: geographic proximity reduces transportation times and costs, enabling fresher products and lower emissions per unit of product delivered.

Moreover, US regulatory agencies have intensified scrutiny of traceability and labour conditions, areas where many Latin American producers have already made significant investments in recent years. Colombia, Brazil and several Central American producers have achieved strong penetration of certification schemes such as Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP), providing a competitive advantage in a market where corporate buyers increasingly rely on independently verified sustainability metrics.

The result is a shifting trade environment that favours suppliers capable of demonstrating high standards of environmental management, food safety and social responsibility. In this respect, Latin America’s regional consolidation around certification and responsible farming practices has allowed it to position itself strategically at a time when global buyers are looking for reliable, compliant and sustainability-focused partners.

One of the most defining features of Latin America’s emergence as a tilapia hub is its strong alignment with sustainability. Far from being an optional add-on, sustainability has become a structural pillar of the region’s competitive identity.

Environmental performance is rooted partly in natural conditions. Many of the region’s major producing regions benefit from favourable water quality, stable temperatures, and hydrological conditions conducive to responsible aquaculture. These natural advantages translate into lower energy costs, reduced disease incidence, and more predictable growth cycles.

However, the region’s sustainability credentials extend far beyond environmental circumstances. Producers throughout Latin America have invested heavily in:

• Recirculating and semi-intensive systems designed to optimise feed conversion and water use.
• Improved genetics and breeding programmes focused on robustness and performance.
• Effluent management and environmental monitoring technologies.
• Professionalisation of production through technical training and capacity building.
• Certification as a cornerstone of market positioning.

Today, ASC and BAP certifications are widely adopted across major producing companies in Brazil and Colombia. This adoption has strengthened the transparency and traceability of supply chains while providing direct assurance to buyers that environmental and social standards are being met.

In parallel, many companies are incorporating digital tools for farm management, integrating improved biometrics, feeding systems, water quality monitoring and traceability platforms. These tools enable more efficient use of resources and improve both productivity and environmental outcomes.

The combined effect of these factors is a regional product offering that is increasingly identified by global buyers as not only competitive in quality, but exemplary in sustainability.

Latin America’s growing footprint in the fresh tilapia fillet segment opens a series of strategic opportunities, but also challenges that must be addressed to consolidate long-term regional leadership.

1. Expanding beyond the US market
Today, the United States absorbs the vast majority of Latin American and the Caribbean tilapia exports, a pattern consistent with FishstatJ (FAO) data showing a 98 percent share in 2023. While this is advantageous in terms of logistics and consumer preference for fresh fillets, it also creates dependence on a single market. Diversification toward markets in Europe, Canada, and the Middle East, where demand for sustainably certified products is increasing, represents a promising future avenue.

2. Addressing logistical and cost constraints
The region continues to face challenges in transportation costs, especially air freight for fresh fillets. These costs can reduce competitiveness during periods of price volatility. Continued investment in cold-chain optimisation, alternative logistics routes, and potential expansion into value-added products may help mitigate these constraints.

3. Sustaining competitiveness under evolving trade rules
While recent tariffs have benefited Latin American suppliers indirectly, future regulatory adjustments, whether in the United States, Asia or Europe, could redefine competitive dynamics. Maintaining strong regulatory compliance, documentation and traceability will be essential.

4. Balancing growth with environmental stewardship
The region’s natural advantages cannot be taken for granted. As production scales, water-use efficiency, disease prevention, feed sustainability and land-use considerations will become increasingly relevant. Ensuring that growth is accompanied by strong environmental oversight is key to maintaining market reputations.

5. Strengthening regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing
Many of the strengths that have propelled Latin America forward are the result of coordinated efforts among producers, research institutions, governments and certification bodies. Deepening these networks will be crucial to maintaining momentum and addressing cross-border challenges.

The emergence of Latin America and the Caribbean as a new epicentre for sustainable tilapia fillet production is not a speculative projection; it is already visible in the data, in the market dynamics, and in the strategic decisions of producers and buyers alike. Brazil’s and Colombia’s considerable production and export growth, combined with high levels of certification, technological advancement and favourable conditions for year-round production, have positioned the region on a trajectory of increasing global relevance.

Looking forward, the challenge is not merely to maintain growth, but to consolidate a model in which sustainability, quality and resilience form the foundation of long-term competitiveness. The global tilapia industry is evolving, driven by new consumer expectations, regulatory pressure and demand for traceability and environmental responsibility. In this context, Latin America is exceptionally well-placed to play a leading role.