The value of tilapia imports entering the United States rose 16.7 percent in 2012 from the previous year, nearing $1 billion (€746 million).
The nation imported $978.4 million (€730 million), or about 230,023 metric tons of tilapia last year, nearly 20 percent more tilapia in tonnage than 2011, according to recently released data by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
Imports of fresh and frozen fillets and fresh meat from Honduras, slowly becoming a big supplier to the US market, increased in 2012, as compared to the previous year. Ecuador also increased its exports of fresh and frozen fillets and fresh meat to the US market.