Colombia has significant opportunities in the aquaculture sector due to its ideal climate, available land, and research institutions. Fish and shrimp production has increased substantially in recent decades. The country is a major shrimp producer and exporter, though production has declined since the 1990s. Tilapia, trout and cachama make up most fish breeding. The government aims to boost the sector through partnerships between public and private groups. There are opportunities to invest in reactivating culture areas and developing new projects like mariculture.

1. INVEST IN THE
AQUACULTURE SECTOR
L ib erta
y O rd e n

2. COLOMBIA’S GREAT OPPORTUNITIES IN
THE AQUACULTURE SECTOR
CURRENT STATE
•
During the 90’s, Colombia’s shrimp cultivation industry reached peak levels, pushing the country into the world’s spotlight as shrimp
producer and exporter. Colombia has increased both the productivity levels of fish breeding and its fish culture areas. Fish breeding
production focuses mostly on tilapia, trout, and cachama.
•
In 2012, shrimp production in the country reached 8,500 tons, mainly in the states of Sucre (65%), Bolivar (32%), and Nariño (5%).
(Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).
•
Colombia’s fish production has shown a steady growth in the last 10 years, rising from 28,956 tons in 2002 to 80,609 tons in 2012,
with a total increase of 278%. (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development).
2000-2012 AQUACULTURE PRODUCTION (THOUSANDS OF TONS)
29.0
32.7
39.8
43.3
49.9
63.1
62.4
21.6
24.6
14.6
16.5
18.0
19.3
20.4
20.3
19.3
10.0
10.9
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
FISH BREEDING
SHRIMP FARMING
SOURCE: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT.
64.5
67.7
74.2
80.6
12.4
12.6
8.5
8.5
2009
2010
2011
2012

3. SHRIMP CULTIVATION INDUSTRY
• The Productive Transformation Program (PTP) is an alliance
between the public and private sectors created by the
Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism to drive productivity
and competitiveness in the aquaculture sector, aiming to
boost its exporting potential through better coordination
between the public and private sectors.
• Colombian shrimp cultivation is currently focused on the
departments of Sucre, Bolivar, and Nariño, with a total
share of 99%, although departments like Cordoba also
have installed infrastructure.
• The average seawater temperature along the Colombian
Atlantic coastline (81-90°F) is perfect for the production
of white shrimp, as it stymies the spread of the white spot
syndrome virus (WSSV). Although temperatures along the
Pacific Coastline are lower, virus incidence remains low
thanks to management systems and seeds.
• Colombia’s shrimp cultivation blends together intensive
and extensive production models, with tanks designed to
supply an extensive production system according to the
Ecuadorian model, and production was placed next higher
density production systems.

4. PISCICULTURE INDUSTRY
•
The three main species produced in Colombia
are tilapia (red and silver), cachama, and trout,
representing approximately 96% of the country’s
piscicultural production.
•
The main tilapia production areas are Huila, Meta,
Santander, Cordoba, Tolima, Caqueta, Antioquia,
and Valle del Cauca.
•
Cachama is mainly produced in the departments
of Antioquia, Meta, Santander, Cordoba, Tolima,
Caqueta, and Valle del Cauca.
•
Trout production is focused on Antioquia, Boyaca,
and Cundinamarca. This production has extended
into Cauca, Coffee Triangle, Nariño, Santander,
and Norte de Santander.

5. Reasons to Invest in Colombia’s
Aquaculture Sector
•
Geographical Location: The area is free from hurricanes and typhoons and is close to the
main consumption hubs.
•
Lack of Seasons: Weather and water temperature are fairly constant, making production
possible all year round.
•
International Recognition: Stemming from the sector’s wide experience in foreign markets,
its high-quality products, qualified expert personnel, and the genetic enhancement program.
•
Available Lands: Aquaculture regions include an estimated area of 370,658 acres available
for production.
•
Colombian Aquaculture Research Center: The Colombian Aquaculture Research Center
(Centro de Investigacion de la Acuicultura en Colombia, CENIACUA) has produced a
scientific and technological body of knowledge in favor of the shrimp cultivation industry.
Aquaculture Sector Investment Opportunities
•
Reactivation of culture areas
and installed infraestructure
for shrimp cultivation in the
Caribbean and Pacific coastlines,
which have proved to be
productive and cost-effective.
•
Mariculture projects, mainly along the Caribbean
coastline, with perfect climatic conditions, water
temperature, and other factors well-suited for this
kind of initiatives and which, thanks to Colombia’s
strategic location, enjoy competitive advantages to
reach foreign markets, including the U.S.
•
Strategic alliances with local fish farmers who
want to improve their production capabilities
and increase or build manufacturing plants to
meet the domestic demands and have surplus
stock for exportation of both fresh and
processed products.

6. BUSINESS NETWORK
PARTNER ENTITIES
• Huila is the department with the greatest number of piscicultural
companies in the country, with nearly 25% of the total. Huila is followed
by Bogota D.C.1 and Valle del Cauca, each with a 20% share. Other
piscicultural companies are located in departments like Meta, Bolivar,
Risaralda, Antioquia, Cauca, Boyaca, and Cundinamarca.
• Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development: It develops,
manages, and evaluates the policies that promote competitive, fair,
and sustainable development of agricultural, forestry, fishing, and rural
development procedures applying decentralization, agreement, and
participation criteria with the purpose of improving the quality of life of
Colombian citizens.
• As for shrimp farming companies, over 50% of the business comes
from the department of Nariño. In the Caribbean Coast, the Atlantico
department hosts the largest number of companies with nearly 33%
share, while Bolivar is home to 10%.2
Atlantico
El Guajaro
Finca España
Aquaprimavera
Bolivar
Antillana S.A.
Antioquia
Vitamar S.A.
Cauca
Piscifactoría
el diviso Ltda.
Nariño
Maragrícola
Produmar
Agromarina
Güinulero
Ecomar
Bolivar
C.I. Océanos
Bogota - Cundinamarca
Agropisicola
Acuagranja S.A.S.
Dispez Rio y Mar S.A.
Agropecuaria
Gómez Mejia & Cia.
Trucha Surala S.A.S.
Meta
Primavera
Aguacultura Ltda.
Piscicola Alabama
Valle del Cauca
Gran Langostino S.A.S.
Agropesquera industrial
Bahia Cupica Ltda.
Campaña pesquera
Lagostino S.A.
Agromarina Tumaco S.A.
• The Productive Transformation Program (PTP): is an alliance between
the public and private sectors driving productivity and competitiveness
in industries with high exporting potential through better coordination
efforts.
• Proexport: is the Government office in charge of attracting foreign
investment, supporting nontraditional exports, and promoting the
country as an international tourism destination.
• AUNAP: The National Authority for Aquaculture and Fisheries is the
entity in charge of exercising the planning, research, management,
promotion, regulation, registration, information, inspection, monitoring
and control of fishing and aquaculture activities.
• The CENIACUA: develops scientific and technological knowledge
through the use of human, material, and economic resources in the
country and thanks to the participation of the sector’s entrepreneurs
to improve productivity and sustainable development in Colombia’s
aquaculture.
Huila
Piscicola New York S.A.
Compañia agroindustrial
y comercial 3C.
Comepez S.A.
Pacandel Ltda.
Babillos fish S.A.
Source: BPR Benchmark.
1. Most companies have their business address registered in Bogota D.C., but their production facilities are not necessarily located in this region.
2. Most companies have their business address registered in Atlantico, but their production facilities are not necessarily located in this region.