Photo: Peixe BR

Federal District Fish Farming Struggles to Meet Local Demand

BRAZIL
Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Despite having Brazil's highest per capita consumption of farmed fish, the Federal District faces significant challenges in meeting local demand, hindering the sector's growth and profitability.

Key obstacles, as identified by the Brazilian Fish Association (Peixe BR), include low production volumes, the region's unique geographic and land characteristics, and structural impediments to sector expansion. While the Technical Assistance and Rural Extension Company (Emater-DF) provides crucial support, sustainable economic growth requires a comprehensive program that balances environmental, social, and economic factors.

Integrating the fish farming production chain is also essential for the sector's future. Addressing informality, high production costs, and inadequate infrastructure remains critical. Cooperatives are a potential solution, offering producers opportunities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance market competitiveness.

Production Trends

Fish farming production in the Federal District has fluctuated in recent years. After reaching 2,060 tons in 2020, production dipped slightly to 2,050 tons in 2021. It then rose to 2,150 tons in 2022 before falling to 2,000 tons in 2023. However, 2024 saw a rebound, with production reaching 2,130 tons, a 6.5% increase from the previous year.

Tilapia dominates local aquaculture, accounting for 1,900 tons, followed by native species at 230 tons.

Data from Bussola.farm indicates that the Federal District has 89 hectares of fish farming ponds, comprising 805 ponds, but no net cages.

Brasília is the leading producer among the district's municipalities, according to preliminary 2022 data from the IBGE's Municipal Livestock Survey. The Federal District includes Brasília and 33 administrative regions. The IBGE does not provide production figures for each individual administrative region.

editorial@seafood.media
www.seafood.media

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