For decades, tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) was seen as an almost exclusive symbol of the Brazilian Amazon. Native to the Amazon basin, the fish has always played a central role in artisanal fishing, fish farming in the northern region, and local cuisine. However, this reality has changed quietly and strategically in recent years, resulting in a historic shift in the global aquaculture landscape.

According to recent information, China has overtaken Brazil and taken the global lead in tambaqui production in terms of volume and exports.

China's rise in tambaqui production did not happen by chance. China applied the same model to Amazonian fish that had already made it the world's largest producer of aquaculture protein: long-term industrial planning, strong state support, logistical integration, and large-scale production.

As a result, tambaqui has gone from being a regional fish to becoming a global aquaculture commodity, integrated into production systems aimed at both supplying the Chinese domestic market and continuous export.

(Source: Alocaarapo, on December 27)