Huila's tilapia exports to the United States suffered a major blow in 2025 from a 10% tariff imposed by the US, forcing producers to lower prices to retain market share. Despite higher shipment volumes, sector incomes fell short of expectations. Experts note the companies' resilience but warn of ongoing challenges.
Huila's aquaculture sector, vital to the regional economy, exported tilapia worth US$71 million FOB in 2025, per Analdex data, marking a 9.2% rise from 2024. Including intermediary operations, the total reached over US$104 million FOB, up from US$95 million the previous year. Volume shipped exceeded 16,900 tons, a near 20% increase.
The 10% tariff effective from April 2025 had a marked impact, as 96.5% of exports target the US. Exporters absorbed the cost by cutting prices by nearly 12% compared to 2024, leading to a 7.6% potential income shortfall, or about 3 million dollars. Carlos Robles, Fedeacua director, stated: “In terms of incomes, they are not as expected compared to prices before the 10% US tariff.”
The Colombian peso's revaluation in late 2025 worsened returns in local currency, though a later devaluation partly offset it. Competition from Brazil and Costa Rica, with lower production costs, squeezed margins. Key products are fresh fillets and whole fresh tilapia.
Lina Carrera, president of the Huila Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the volume strategy to offset lower prices: “Although the sector managed to maintain and even increase exported volumes, producers had to reduce the product's selling price to preserve the US market.”
The industry supports around 32,000 direct and indirect jobs. Future tariff uncertainty lingers, and Robles called for strategic US ties to potentially dismantle them under the next government.
