Fisheries

Commodity ROAD MAP:

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

PCA Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. Nos. 929-9597 Fax No. 929-8074
Website: www.bfar.da.gov.ph

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Prepared by:
Fisheries Policy and Economics Division
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
2008

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Tilapia is the second most important fish cultured in the Philippines

next to milkfish. In 2006, of the total fisheries production (4,408,472
MT), tilapia contributed 202,040.56MT or 22 %. Increased tilapia
production is eminent over the last five years. The continuous study
on the development of tilapia species and the use of a number of
different culture technologies contributed to this steady increase in
tilapia production.
Region III lead the production of tilapia, having produced a total of
101,233.74 metric tons and sold some 73,900.63 metric tons or 73%
of the total production to other regions with tilapia supply shortage.
The government developed and launched a new tilapia strain, the GET
EXCEL Tilapia. This is expected to further increase tilapia production in
the country, increase income and provide livelihood opportunities
among local fisherfolks. The establishment of central hatcheries in
strategic areas nationwide assured the success of this intervention.

Figure 3. Target for Agribusiness Lands 2007

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II. Overview of the Industry

A. Accomplishments
Tilapia production has been steadily increasing over the last five years.
The tilapia industry has achieved a 13.75% growth from 2001 to 2006. In
2006, tilapia production reached 202,040.55 metric tons (MT), which is
23.95% higher than the previous years production of 163,003 MT (Fig. I).
In 2006, tilapia production accounted for 21.82% of the total 4,408,472 MT
fisheries production.

in metric tons

Fifty seven percent (57%) of the total tilapia production for 2006 came
from freshwater fishponds all over the country. Similarly, tilapia produced
from freshwater fish cages
contributed some 30%,
Tilapia Production 20002006
while production from
250,000
freshwater fish pen and
202,041
200,000
brackish water fishponds
163,003
150,000
145,868
accounted for 8% and 6%,
135,997
122,390
respectively.
Region III
106,746
100,000
92,579
registered
the
highest
50,000
tilapia
production

(101,233.74 MT), followed

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
by
Region
IVA
Year
(55,593.79MT).
Figure 1. Tilapia production from 20002006, in
metric tons (Source: BAS)

B. Supply and Demand Assessment

In 2006, Regions III, IVA, V and XII have surplus production while the rest
of the Regions registered deficits. Region III recorded the highest tilapia
production and a surplus of 47,671,129 kilograms. The countrys total
surplus of tilapia is about 71978772 kilograms. The abundant supply is

Wetlands and wastelands conversion into productive areas for

aquaculture;
Intensify upland aquaculture;
Promote urban aquaculture;
Develop tilapia fillet for export;
Intensify monitoring of physical and biological parameters to
prevent/limit occurrence of fish kill;
Establishment/Rehab of Central and Satellite hatcheries;
Rehab/development of foreclosed fishponds upon approval
targeting1000+ hectares
Input assistance (fingerlings) to newly developed aquaculture
production areas;
Promotion of polyculture;
Strengthen Program on Stock now pay later;
Provide assistance in accessing funs/credits.
Table 3. Development of New Agribusiness Lands for Tilapia2007
Development of New Lands
for Agribusiness 2007
Regions
I
II
III
IV-A
IV-B
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
XIII
CAR
ARMM
TOTAL

Targets
4
139
182
186
11
49
54
8
21
129
173
150
310
26
25
67
1,533

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III. Problems and Constraints

The problems and constraints currently facing the tilapia industry include:
Very strict requirements to avail loan from lending institution and
also high interest rate;
Extension services rendered should conform on the best aquaculture
practices;
Lack of financial assistance;
Unstable market price;
High cost of farm inputs;
Fish diseases/fish kills
Lack of manpower to effectively transfer technology to the municipal
level;
Marketing layers which stand between producer and consumer; and
Lost opportunities to participate in global market for valueadded
products.

IV. Strategies and Interventions

To address the needs of the industry, the government, through the
Department of Agricultures Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
(DABFAR) embarks on major activities that will boost tilapia production,
generate employment, increase income and eventually, uplift the lives of
fisherfolk.
As support to the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP)
20052010 and in line with President Gloria MacapagalArroyos 10Point
Agenda, DA is tasked to develop at least 2 million hectares of new land
for agribusiness and generate 2 million jobs in six years under Goal 1 and
reduce prices of wage goods through productivity enhancement, more
efficient logistics, and improved linkages under Goal 2. With these new
thrusts, the following strategies for tilapia were made:
Intensify seeding of major inland bodies of water, dams, reservoir,
SWIP
and other;
Fish cage culture in inland waters and NIA irrigation projects;

attributed to the excellent production of Region III and also, due to the
fact that most of the regions in Mindanao and the Visayas prefer to eat
marine fish species.
Table 1. Supply/production and demand analysis per region for Tilapia
@ 1.7 kcy (2006)
Region
CAR
I
II
III
NCR
IV - A
IV - B
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
XI
XII
ARMM
CARAGA
Philippines
BAS Production(2006)

Production
(kgs)
2,673,140
6,856,030
8,813,210
101,233,740
388,690
55,593,790
536,640
8,783,780
660,200
207,130
291,660
1,875,500
890,150
854,520
9,389,500
2,770,410
222,460

Requirement
(kgs)
7,193,114
27,184,518
10,466,600
53,562,611
19,002,620
31,119,242
6,783,446
4,803,210
36,271,308
6,974,505
3,052,090
3,520,802
3,912,913
8,438,006
8,347,397
4,885,112
3,420,260

(4,519,974)
(20,328,488)
(1,653,390)
47,671,129
(18,613,930)
24,474,549
(6,246,806)
3,980,570
(35,611,108)
(6,767,375)
(2,760,430)
(1,645,302)
(3,022,763)
(7,583,486)
1,042,103
(2,114,702)
(3,197,800)

202,040,550

146,954,127

55,086,423

GAP

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C. Distribution Map

D. Supply Chain/Marketing Layers

From the fish farms, tilapia goes through the different marketing layers
such as the consignacion or broker, buyerssellers, viajeros, and the
retailers with price margins in every layer ranging from 20 to 25%,
inclusive of the markup and marketing costs.
Primarily, tilapia is sold in the domestic market only. Insignificant volumes
were shipped abroad. However, recent developments suggest potential
markets for tilapia products (e.g. tilapia fillet) in the domestic and foreign
markets including the United States and the BIMPEAGA Regions.
Table 2. Cost Element and Current Cost in Tilapia Production
Cost Element

Figure 2. Tilapia Distribution Map

Current Cost (P/kg)

Production Cost
Feeds
Fingerlings
Labor & maintenance

50.00
42.00
1.00
6.00

PH Losses
Sub total
Margin (10% mark up)
Farmgate Price
Distribution Cost Element
Handling
Ice
Transport and Informal fees
Consignation Broker
Sub total
Margin (Buyers,Sellers,Viajeros)
Wholesale Price
RETAILING
Handling
Ice
Stall Rental
Sub total
MARGIN (retailer)

1.5
50.50
5.00
55.50
10.16
1.39
1.29
4.46
3.02
65.66
5.00
65.66
5.34
.70
1.79
2.85
76.00
5.00

CONSUMER PRICE

81.00

Assumptions:
4-6 / kilo Medium size
SRP on Metro Manila market ; Q-Mart, Commonwealth, Novaliches, Muoz and Farmers