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Brazil’s tilapia fingerling, genetics producers consolidate under new company

Brazil’s largest tilapia fingerling and juvenile producer, Piscicultura Aquabel, and leading tilapia breeding and genetics firm AquaAmerica will consolidate under one distribution umbrella, AquaGenetics do Brasil Ltd.

This follows after the acquisition of AquaAmerica by Norway-based breeding and genetics firm GenoMar Genetics Group earlier this year.

Under this new restructuring, AquaGenetics do Brasil will become the exclusive distributor of the AquaBel and AquaAmerica tilapia genetics brands in Brazil.

Aquabel, the Brazilian company’s original name when it was founded 26 years ago, will remain as the name of one of the most popular tilapia genetics brand in Brazil.

“The Brazilian tilapia industry is evolving rapidly and with it our responsability to have the capacity and the customer focus to supply the industry with high quality fingerlings and juveniles,” said Gustavo Crosara, chief executive of AquaGenetics do Brasil. “Our 26 years experience, world-class infrastructure and team of specialist is a perfect environment to further develop both the AquaBel and AquaAmerica brands. Our work is to unlock the genetic potential of these brands through the pursuit of superior fingerling quality, all year product availability and after sales support.”

Piscicultura Aquabel started tilapia fingerling production in 1994 by entrepreneurs Ricardo Neukirchner and Claudio Batirola, who have since been a driving force in the Brazilian tilapia industry. In 2016, German EW Group acquired a majority stake in the company, making it part of its tilapia genetics and distribution business GenoMar Genetics Group.

Piscicultura Aquabel operates in seven states across Brazil, managing nine farms in total. With na estimated market share of 25 percent, it’s the country’s largest distributor of tilapia fingerlings and juveniles.

“As we are investing heavily in leading edge genetic research and local breeding infrastructure to supply the brazilian industry with latest breeding stocks, it is critical to have a dedicated distributor such as AquaGenetics do Brasil, with the experience and committment to quality fingerling production and customer support,” said Alejandro Tola Alvarez, chief executive of GenoMar Genetics Group.