US 2015 tilapia imports through April stay cheaper than last year

The United States imported nearly 17% more tilapia year-on-year through April but spent only around 8% more on the fish as prices continue to remain lower than they were last year, government data show.

Imports of fresh and frozen tilapia rose 16.9% to 80,498.570 metric tons year on year, from 68,880.113 tons in the first four months of 2014, according to National Marine Fisheries Service data.

The spend on those imports rose only 8.3% to $373.33 million, from $344.78m.

That brought the average price per kilogram for fresh and frozen products combined to $4.64 in the first quarter, down 7.2% from $5 the same period a year ago.

The four-month price was slightly higher than the price during the first quarter but still remained lower than a year ago.

During the first quarter, the average price per kilogram for fresh and frozen products combined was $4.57, down 7.7% from $4.95 the same period a year ago.

As usual, the majority of the tilapia imports during the first four months of the year came from mainland China.

The bulk of the product from China was in the form of frozen fillets, of which the United States imported 51,514.9t, worth $232.90m.

That was up from 43,530.7 tons worth $215.31m during the same period last year.

According to Undercurrent News’ price portal, farm prices for whole, live tilapia weighing 500-800 grams from China in were down 9.45% to RMB 7.47 ($1.20) per kilogram from RMB 8.25 in April and off 35.6% from RMB 11.6 year on year.