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Overview of Tilapia Production in The Philippines

Tilapia production in the Philippines fluctuated in recent years and currently ranks third in aquaculture production. Fishponds produce over three-quarters of tilapia, with Region III accounting for over half. The Nile tilapia is the most commonly farmed species due to its traits. Disease outbreaks and high feed costs present challenges to tilapia farming.

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53 views2 pages

Overview of Tilapia Production in The Philippines

Tilapia production in the Philippines fluctuated in recent years and currently ranks third in aquaculture production. Fishponds produce over three-quarters of tilapia, with Region III accounting for over half. The Nile tilapia is the most commonly farmed species due to its traits. Disease outbreaks and high feed costs present challenges to tilapia farming.

Uploaded by

Kaye Necesario
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Overview of Tilapia Production in the Philippines

Let's dive into the swimming success tale of Tilapia as it holds the title of being the third most

important culture fish species in the country.

In Asia, China leads the major production of Tilapia. However, in the Philippines, the last five

years, tilapia production shows a fluctuating pattern, with an alternating positive and negative growth

since 2018. In 2022 recent statistics, Tilapia ranks 3 rd out of the top ten produced commodities in

Aquaculture in terms of production volume next to seaweed (1,544,959.87) and milkfish (387,964.17).

Fishponds are the dominant source of tilapia in the country, contributing over 77% (194,383.78 metric

tons) to the national production in 2022. Region III leads the pack by a wide margin, accounting for nearly

58% (145,998 metric tons) of the total. In contrast, Region XI is placed on the 11 th spot, producing

1,046.46 metric tons of tilapia, primarily (almost 1,000 metric tons) harvested from fishponds.

The Nile Tilapia, or Oreochromis niloticus, is the most commonly cultivated species of Tilapia

among Filipinos. The Nile tilapia is the ideal species for tilapia aquaculture in the Philippines because of

its rapid growth, toughness, resistance to disease, and superb flesh. This has helped the country succeed

in this area. According to Fisheries Profile 2022, Filipinos consume 12.1 g of tilapia per day, indicating

their strong preference for Nile tilapia.

Amongst the advantages of farming tilapia is its general hardiness, adaptability to various

production systems and rapid growth, the poor management system became a hindrance for a successful

farm raising of Tilapia.

Though tilapia is known for its tolerance, did you know that the nation recently saw an outbreak?

If a disease epidemic occurs, all efforts to care for the cultured tilapia are useless. Streptococcus

agalactiae and Streptococcus iniae are major bacterial culprits, causing significant economic losses. Viral

diseases like Tilapia Lake Virus can also be devastating. In addition, poor water quality can lead to stress,

disease outbreaks, and stunted growth. The best way to mitigate this disease is to maintain the proper

balance of oxygen, pH, ammonia, and nitrites in the water that crucial for tilapia health.

Moreover, the rising cost of good quality fish feed can significantly impact farm profitability.

Farmers might resort to cheaper, less nutritious alternatives, affecting fish health and growth. The high

price of imported feed materials, like fish meal and soybean meal, is the reason for the high cost of feeds.
Reducing feeding expenses can be achieved by increasing feeding efficiency and by replacing imported

feedstuffs with locally sourced alternatives, like copra meal.

Thus, tilapia are social fish, but overcrowding can lead to competition for food and oxygen,

stunted growth, and increased susceptibility to disease. Inadequate or subpar broodstock can also lead to weak

progeny and decreased production. Losses may result from tilapia fingerlings and small fish being eaten by birds,

frogs, and other animals. Certain farmers may find it challenging to turn a profit due to price fluctuations and

worldwide market competition.

Tilapia farming can be profitable, but there's a learning curve! To avoid losing money, it's

important to understand the basics, like choosing a good spot for your pond, keeping the water clean,

feeding your fish properly, and knowing how to harvest and sell them.

The best fish farmers never stop learning! There are always new ways to raise tilapia better. You

can learn by reading, going to workshops, and talking to experienced fish farmers. By keeping up-to-date

and learning more, you'll have a much better chance of raising healthy fish and making a good profit.

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