Meeting Abstract

127.4  Monday, Jan. 7  Developing markets for a new product: Aquacultured Red Claw in Mexico GARZA DE YTA, A.; Aquaculture Global LLC agarza@crm-agc.com

The number of farms, production and demand of Cherax quadricarinatus or Redclaw has had major shifts in the last fifteen years in Mexico. These shifts also have been caused by the marketing strategies for the organism and their source (aquaculture/fisheries) In 1996 there were around 20 active farms of redclaw in the States of Tamaulipas alone; by the end of 2001 there were just four. A major transformation in production practices and marketing occurred since then. There was the need to make the redclaw more accessible to the people and to expand the markets. More markets attracted more investors and the redclaw industry started to grow, more farms started operations in ten more states and redclaw looked like a booming aquaculture activity. The number of farms was over 40 again by 2007. Nobody thought there would be anything that could stop the booming of this industry. Unfortunately, illegal stocking in man-made dams and reservoirs occurred in Tamaulipas and suddenly the market was flooded with redclaw of all sizes at $60 MNX and sometimes $50 MXN so competition between farmers and fisherman started in 2007. Since then there has been a balance and producers that have been able to market their product through quality and consistency have succeeded and the ones that have not are struggling or have failed and closed operations. Farms by 2010 are reported to be 15 nationwide. Redclaw is in Mexico to stay, and it will depend on expanding the current markets that a new round of expansion occurs for the aquaculture farms or that innovative production systems can reduce the current production cost and make the farms competitive again.