Mexico Boosts Aquaculture With New Credit Program

As Mexico’s aquaculture sector faces rising costs and limited federal resources, the government is opening new credit lines to help producers modernize operations and respond to climate and market pressures. The National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA) announced that individuals and legal entities engaged in aquaculture can now access loans under the Cosechando Soberanía (Harvesting Sovereignty) Program, with credit lines of up to MX$1.3 million (US$70,888), an annual interest rate of 8.5%, and agricultural insurance.

Harvesting Sovereignty is a credit scheme designed to support small-scale producers, with the goal of boosting food production and improving the well-being of those working in agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture.

For aquaculture producers, this program can support the financing of materials and equipment such as cages, grow-out tanks, oyster bags or baskets, and operational supplies; equipment including pumps, aerators, power generation systems, and devices to measure physicochemical parameters; as well as seed production equipment. Eligible inputs include balanced feed, fish fingerlings, mollusk seed, shrimp postlarvae, and macroalgae seedlings. Infrastructure investments are also covered.

The Future of Aquaculture

According to FAO, global fisheries and aquaculture production reached a record 223.2Mt in 2022, and for the first time, aquaculture surpassed capture fisheries as the main source of aquatic animals. Aquaculture accounted for 51% of total output in 2022, producing 130.9Mt, while capture fisheries generated 92.3Mt.

In Mexico, shrimp is the country’s most prominent aquaculture species, with production reaching 195,000t cultivated across 93,258ha. The National Council of Producers of Balanced Feed and Animal Nutrition (CONAFAB) reports that the sector has maintained steady annual growth of 6%, standing out not only for production volume but also for its impact on exports and domestic supply.

However, significant challenges remain before the sector can reach its full potential. Aquaculture producers point out that the lack of federal funding has slowed development in both fisheries and aquaculture, affecting scientific institutions that provide technical guidance as well as the producers themselves.