Annual tilapia fry demand in Yunnan market: more than 800 million
Although boasting fine climatic conditions, small-scale and separate operation is still the main forms of the industry because of a large area of mountain regions and the long distance between suitable farming areas. At present, the main production regions of Yunnan province are located in Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, Dehong and Lincang, whose production accounts for approximately 80% of the whole prodution in Yunnan. The annual tilapia fry demand reaches more than 800 million each year.
Present farming status in Yunnan province
Fish ponds are the traditional farming mode in Yunnan. The net cage farming increases in last few years with the promotion of processing factories. But it’s limited and starts to decrease because of the unsteady water levels in reservoir that aquatic hypoxia problem would appear if the water level drops.
80% ponds in Pu’er, Xishuangbanna, and Lincang farm tilapia while Dehong mainly cultures carp and grass carp. Mountain ponds are the main farming ponds in Yunnan. The single ponds area is normally below 30 mu with rich water resources, but the water supply and drainage are basically relied on water pumps. Aerobic equipment is insufficient. There is only one aerobic equipment in average of more than 10 mu farming ponds; high organic matter content in the water, ammonia nitrogen and nitrite out of limits, low dissolved oxygen and fish gasping for air are the main problems. Disease broke out frequently in recent few years, which is directly linked to the bad quality and change of water.
Mixed fry quality market urgently requires regulation
Although the whole year is suitable to farm tilapia, the fry stocking is concentrated from February to June. With high-density stocking, the stocking rate is as high as 90%. Only one season of farming each year, stocking once and catching multi-times. The farming mode is developed because of scarce professional fry nurseries. Many farmers buy the fry in the first half of each year and worry that they can’t secure the fry because the high temperature affects the fry production in the second half of the year.
The fry market urgently needs regulation and standards. A large amount of fry is brought in from Hainan province but the quality has big differences. Baolu tilapia fry began to go to market in 2014 and enjoys fine quality. Many farmers are inclined to choose the fry form Baolu even though its price is relevantly higher. Baolu Aquaculture Co. Ltd.
tilapia farms
High feed coefficient cause farming cost generally on the high side
The inconvenient traffic, long distance between farming regions and separate farming ponds cause the generally higher cost of farming. The main reason is the high feed coefficient, averagely at more than 1.8. The feed supply is mainly form local feed factories and the basic settlement is by cash. Only the farms with many years’ cooperation with feed factories can purchase the feed by credit. Besides, local feed factories’ business is mainly through family-mode operation with 10, 000 tons annual average production. With the farming scale expanding, the demand for feed quality and quantity and efficient farming cost also increased. Although the price of fine feed is relevantly higher, it’s gradually recognized by the client. Requirement of superior feed is the irresistible trend.
Yunnan tilapia selling is generally through domestic market, mainly in Yunnan province and surrounding regions. Fresh live fish is the basic product form, which is supplied to factory restaurants, hot-pot restaurants and citizens. The market changes every year, which needs the co-development involving more sound enterprises. With regard to the farming mode, a suitable way just for Yunnan province should be explored and developed by farmers’ cooperation. Reasonable price for supporting facilities is more acceptable to local farmers. Besides, water-level control and oral drugs for tilapia also require professional technical guidance.
