Reports from several provinces in South China show that sales of tilapia seedlings are running well below volumes of last year. Prolonged rainy and cold weather is affecting stocking. As a result, estimates of production are decreasing.
In Guangxi, reports are that sales of seedlings are down 30% to 40%; in Guangdong they are down 20% to 30%, while in Hainan they are up 10% to 15%. Hainan is one of the most important producing areas for export.
In some ways weather factors disturbed tilapia production this year. There was warm winter weather and autumn seedlings grew well, so there was an adaquate supply in the winter. Then in the spring continuous rainy weather has had an impact on the breeding market investment and the progress of the seedlings.
Reports on sales are mixed from the seedling companies, but feed companies feel there will be declines.
Haid Group Kwong Wai Area fish feed marketing general manager Luo Lu estimated that the Guangdong Investment seedlings quantity decreased by about 20%.
The Qin Fu Industrial Co., Ltd. in Hainan, chairman Zhou Qin Fu says that in Guangdong compared to last year will be 20-30% of the decline. "Zhou Qin Fu.
Guangxi Nanning Baiyoung Feed Technology Co., Ltd. Sales Manager Wu Hai Tuo estimated a reduction in that province of 30-40%.
Hainan Eternal Technology Feed Co., Ltd. Sales Manager Bo Hainan tilapia says seedlings will increase in Hainan by 10-15%.
"Last year, the market is poor, and part of the empty ponds of fish farmers this year will be put into farming. Also some reservoirs in Hainan last year were in repairs and now this this year can increase the amount of farming." Bo said.
Zhou Xu, general manager of Hainan Yubie seed market also said that Hainan will have an increase of about 10%. Currently small size fish has a good price, a pond head price of 4.6 yuan / kg. Pan Yan Yuan estimated this will help farmers clear ponds in June, and then farmers will increase the amount of investment and seedlings. Most expect prices in Hainan tilapia will remain at 4.8 yuan / jin price with slight fluctuations, not ups and downs. But the international market for Chinese tilapia consumption is worrisome, and no significant improvement is still the the sword of Damocles hanging over the industry.