The aquaculture sector in Colombia has seen significant growth over the past decade. Shrimp farming production peaked in the 1980s-1990s but has declined since, while fish farming has increased substantially from 21,600 tons in 2000 to 84,400 tons in 2013. Tilapia, trout and cachama make up the majority of fish farming. The country has favorable conditions for aquaculture like optimal water temperatures, available land and infrastructure, and research centers. There are opportunities for investment in shrimp and fish farming, as well as processing plants, to increase production and exports. The main government entities that support the sector are listed.

1. INVESTMENT IN THE
AQUACULTURE SECTOR
Libertad y Orden

2. INVESTMENT IN THE AQUACULTURE SECTOR
SECTOR OVERVIEW
AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION 2000-2013 (THOUSANDS OF TONS).
SOURCE: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT.
SHRIMP FARMING FISH FARMING
Duringthe‘80sand‘90s,theshrimpindustry
in Colombia reached maximum growth,
positioning the country as a recognized
producer and exporter. With respect to fish
farming, Colombia has recorded growth in
cultivations are concentrated mostly on the
production of Tilapia, Trout and Cachama.
*Shrimp production in Colombia reached
8,500 tons in 2013, with the departments of
Fish farming production in the country has
shown continuous growth over the last 10
years, rising from 21.6 thousand tons in 2000
to84.4thousandtonsin2013,whichrepresents
an increase of 291%. (Ministry of Agriculture
and Rural Development).
21.6
10.0
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
24.6
10.9
29.0
14.6
32.7
16.5
39.8
18.0
43.3
19.3
49.9
20.4
63.1
20.3
62.4
19.3
64.5
12.4
67.7
12.6
74.2
9.4
80.6 84.4
8.1 8.5
Sucre (63%), Bolivar (32%) and Nariño (6%)
being the greatest producers. (Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development).

3. SHRIMP INDUSTRY
public-private partnership created by the Ministry
of Trade, Industry and Tourism, promotes the
productivity and competitiveness of sectors with a
high export potential, by means of a more effective
coordination between public and private sectors.
Colombiahascomparativeandcompetitiveadvantages
in shrimp farming.
Coast is between 27 °C and 32 °C, which is optimal
for white shrimp farming as it inhibits replication
of the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). On the
other hand, although the Pacific Coast has lower
temperatures, it has seeds and management systems
developed by research and development centers that
reduce the incidence of the virus.
Shrimp farming in Colombia is performed via a
mix of intensive and extensive productive models,
where pools were designed based on an extensive
production system that replicates the Ecuadorean
model, and cultivation is based on a high-density
production system.

4. In Colombia, three main species are cultivated:
Tilapia (red and niloticus), Cachama and Trout,
which account for about 96% of national fish-
farming production.
Cachama is cultivated mainly in the departments
of Antioquia, Meta, Santander, Cordoba, Tolima,
Caqueta and Valle del Cauca.
Meta, Santander, Cordoba, Tolima, Caqueta,
Antioquia and Valle del Cauca.
and Cundinamarca. Cultivations of this fish have
also extended to Cauca, the Coffee Triangle, Nariño,
Santander and North Santander.
FISH-FARMING INDUSTRY

5. infrastructure in disuse for shrimp farming
in the coastal waters of the Caribbean and
Pacific, which have previously been proven
to be productive and profitable.
Geographic position: the absence of hurricanes and typhoons. Proximity to large
consumption centers.
Lack of seasons: the climate and temperature of the waters has low variability,
allowing year-round production.
International recognition, thanks to a wide range of experience in the external
market, a high quality product, trained and expert personnel, and a genetic
improvement program.
Available areas: in the regions considered for cultivation, it is calculated that around
150,000 hectares are available for this activity.
Research centers: in Colombia there are several globally recognized research
centers, such as the Colombian Aquaculture Research Center (CENIACUA), which
has generated scientific and technological knowledge for the development of the
shrimp industry.
WHY INVEST IN THE
AQUACULTURE SECTOR IN COLOMBIA?
MaricultureprojectsmainlyontheCaribbean
coast, where the climatic conditions,water
temperature, etc., are suitable for his kind
of initiative and where, due to its location,
Colombia has a comparative advantage in
accessing markets such as the United States.
Strategic alliances with local fish farmers
that need to increase their production and
make expansions or assemble processing
plants in order to cover domestic demand
and generate surpluses for export, both for
fresh and for processed products.

6. MULTIPLE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
CORPORATE NETWORK RELATED ENTITIES
Huila is the department in Colombia that has the highest number of fish-
farming companies in the country, with almost 25% of them located in this
department. Bogota D.C. and the department of Valle de Cauca follow with
a 20% share each. Departments such as Meta, Bolivar, Risaralda, Antioquia,
Cauca, Boyaca and Cundinamarca also have fish-farming companies within
their territories.
of thecompanies specializing in the shrimp industry. On the Atlantic Coast,
the department of Atlantico has 33% of all registered companies, and the
department of Bolivar, 10%.
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: responsible for
formulating, coordinating and evaluating the policies that promote
competitive, equitable and sustainable development of processes for
agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development, with a focus on
decentralization, cooperation and participation, which contribute to
improving the standard and quality of life of the Colombian people.
Productive Transformation Program:a public-private alliance that
promotes productivity and competitiveness in sectors with high export
potential by means of more e cient coordination between the public and
private sectors.
ProColombia: the entity in charge of promoting international tourism,
foreign investment and non-traditional exports in Colombia.
AUNAP: lthe National Authority for Aquaculture and Fishing is the entity
in charge of carrying out processes for planning, researching, arranging,
promoting, regulating, recording, collecting information, inspecting,
monitoring and controlling fishing and aquaculture activities.
CENIACUA: generates scientific and technological knowledge applicable
to aquaculture, with a State-run public tender for human, physical and
economic resources and the participation of business owners in the sector
in order to improve the productivity and sustainable development of
Colombian aquaculture.
Fuente: BPR Benchmark
BOLÍVAR
Antillana S.A.
BOGOTÁ -
CUNDINAMARCA
Agropiscicola
Acuagranja S.A.S.
Dispez Río y Mar S.A.
Agropecuaria
Gómez Mejía & Cia.
Trucha Surala S.A.S.
META
Primavera
Aguacultura Ltda.
Piscicola Alabama
HUILA
Piscicola New York S.A.
Compañía Agroindustrial
y Comercial 3C.
Comepez S.A.
Pacandel Ltda.
Babillos Fish S.A.
VALLE DEL CAUCA
Gran Langostino S.A.S.
Agropesquera industrial
Bahía Cupica Ltda.
Campaña pesquera
Lagostino S.A.
Agromarina Tumaco S.A.
CAUCA
Piscifactoría el
Diviso Ltda.
ANTIOQUIA
Vitamar S.A.
BOLÍVAR
C.I. Océanos
ATLÁNTICO
El Guájaro
Finca España
Aquaprimavera
NARIÑO
Maragrícola
Produmar
Agromarina
Güinulero
Ecomar
Libertad y Orden
1
1. Most companies have their address registered in Bogota DC, but not necessarily the crops are in this region.