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While still relatively small, the international  trade in tilapia – dubbed variously as “the miracle fish”, “the fish of the millennium” and “the aquatic chicken” – is growing rapidly. The trade is concentrated in a few countries with the USA being the largest importer. It is estimated that a little less than 15% of around 2.3 million mt of tilapia produced globally enters the international market, while the bulk is sold and consumed locally. FAO figures, however, put the global export of tilapia at only 133,504 mt worth US$ 223.4 million in 2004. The main reason for this underestimation is that many countries do not report their tilapia exports separately, but lump them together with other freshwater fish products. In addition, there is also active regional trade of live tilapia among neighbouring countries that goes unrecorded. It is strongly believed, therefore, that the actual international trade is much higher than the reported figures.

PR China is the largest producer with its production reaching almost one million mt in 2005 and also the largest exporter of tilapia products, having overtaken Taiwan since 2003. It exported 92,676 mt (product weight) worth US$ 203.4 million in 2005 representing a more than three-fold increase compared to 2002. Taiwan is the second largest tilapia exporter but its exports dropped from 47,317 mt in 2002 to 39,719 mt in 2003, then went up again to 42,078 mt in 2005. The exports consisted mainly of frozen whole and fillet tilapia destined for the USA, Europe and the Middle East. Taiwan also exports high quality sashimi grade tilapia fillet to Japan and Rep Korea. More ..