Tilapia production in Mexico has been growing at 9.1%/yr, was the third one in importance, both in volume and value, with 168,359 ton and $3.3 Billion pesos in 2018. Demand has to be satisfied importing almost a half of the national consumption. In the southeast region, demand of the so-called “mojarras” like Tilapia, includes also some native species, which already have aquaculture technology and that normally have higher prices per kg than the Tilapia, as demand is growingly unsatisfied due to a diminishing traditional fishery supply.
El Pucté del Usumacinta SA de CV, began operations in 1998, aimed to produce high quality fingerlings and fresh tilapia and native species. It has a 22-ha 59-ponds fish farm in the state of Tabasco, with two Hatcheries, for Cichllids and Gar, respectively, among other facilities with an installed production capacity of 15 and 18 million fingerlings of tilapia and native species, and 1,000 ton of whole fish, per year. Important to mention that much of the technology used, particularly for native ones, has been developed and/or adapted within the company itself and that the farm is Certificated and has all the legal permits required for aquaculture within the country.
The present project aims to improve operating conditions, increasing yields, reducing water use and energy consumption to satisfy an already existing demand, of both fingerlings and fish. It requires $28´685,390.56, of which $23´599,205.83 are for Fixed Assets Investment and $4’786,784.39 for Working Capital, the former will be used for ponds, channels, electric and hydraulic network maintenance and replacement, as well as for pumping, aeration, management, security and communications equipment renewal, while the later for production supplies. With these, 450 ton, 900 ton and 1,050 ton of whole fish will be produce in years 1, 2 and 3 to 10, respectively, as well as at least 4 million fingerlings/yr. Economic analysis shows values of NPV $30´189,120; IRR 22.3% and B/C Ratio 2.89, these assuming fairly conservative values of $58.00/kg of fish and $1.00/fingerling. The proposal includes 3 yearly stages for the funding, whose details should be defined with the funding counterpart.
Last but not least, it must be pointed out that the project has a regional impact in terms of supplying fingerlings to many small fish farmers and fishermen, in restocking native species that are heavily endangered and in strengthen the Tilapia /mojarras channel supply in the southeast region where, El Pucté has been always working, and has customers and demand.