Profitability Analysis of Monosex Tilapia Production under Three Culture Models in Hebei and Southern Coastal Provinces of China

The purpose of this study was to understand and compare profitability indices of tilapia production under monoculture, polyculture, and integrated culture models. The study covered a total of 47 tilapia farmers in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Hainan, Yunnan provinces in the southern coastal areas, and Hebei province in Northern China. The study focused on two objectives: (i) Socioeconomic and production characteristics that influence tilapia production; (ii) Profitability indices, and breakeven analysis of tilapia production using a structured questionnaire. All calculations for the 3 culture models in this study are based on 1mu (667m2 or 0.666 ha). The study found that all tilapia farms visited were owned by males. About 72.9% of the farmers were 30 to 50 years of age; 50% of the farmers had undergone vocational training. Tilapia farm production areas averaged 70.2mu (~4.7 ha) per farmer, and pond aquaculture accounted for 87.5% of their production. Tilapia production costs were an average of US$1168.4 (1 yuan=US$6.6). Positive Gross Margins (GM) and Net Incomes (NFI) were observed. Tilapia production was economically viable with positive Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of US$0.24 in monoculture, and US$0.15 in other culture models. Farmers with low yields, especially tilapia cultured in an integrated model were expected to sell fish at US$0.93per kilogram to recover invested capital within a single production season averaging 6 months. Positive Returns on Investment (ROI) of US$0.22-0.15/kg were observed in monoculture and polyculture respectively. In conclusion, the study found that for farmers to increase tilapia production profit margins, tilapia stocking densities need to increase, especially under integrated culture, and improvements are needed in fish feed utilization to reduce current feed conversion ratios (FCR). In order to boost sales, farmers must ensure production of quality fish, and seek alternative markets such as Africa.