USSEC sponsored and participated in the 2^nd Worldwide Economic Forum of Tilapia.  The conference was held in Neiva, Colombia from September 23 – 26.  About 400 people from the aquaculture and feed industries attended this event.

USSEC consultant Jairo Amezquita was invited by event organizers to give two lectures.  His first presentation discussed USSEC´s role in global aquaculture and the second focused on preventing and controlling common tilapia diseases in the Americas region.  He also met with potential users of U.S. soybean products including representatives from local feedmills and tilapia producers in order to coordinate opportunities to work togethe
Mr. Amezquita gave interviews to Colombian newspapers “Diario del Huila” and “La Nación” where he talked about soybeans, their applications in aquaculture and the opportunities for U.S. soybean products in Colombia.
This year, the Colombian aquaculture industry will produce approximately 100,000 metric tons (MT) of fish and will demand more than 52,000 MT of soybean meal from the U.S.  Tilapia represents 80 percent of the country’s aqua specie production.  This market has good growth potential over the next several years, mainly with tilapia, but with other species as well.  This production is poised to satisfy the demand from both the U.S. and local markets because of the high consumption trend of these products.