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African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niluticus) were introduced as new fish species to Hungaryin 1987 for experimental purposes. The production for both local and export markets started in 1989, in the case of African catfish, and the middle of the 90s for Tilapia.

The production of African catfish was very low at the beginning, less than 50 tons per year, and this increased slowly until the first hypermarkets opened in 1997.

The main reason for this slow growth was that the only product available was the live fish, which is rather ugly, and the consumer did not know the product; consequently a detailed market survey and consumer testing was done in order to establish the most acceptable product. Because the meat of the African catfish is very attractive, the filleted or skinless products became very popular within a few years. The increasing number of hypermarkets, accompanied by the development of catfish processing, resulted a large increase in the quantities sold on the local market.

At present, 41 hypermarkets have attractive fish counters where these products are included and the consumption of the locally-produced African catfish has reached some1200 tons per year.

The tilapia market is at an early stage of development with an annual consumption of nearly 10 tons.

Dr. Tibor Müller,Degree: Diploma of agricultural engineer and Candidate ofagricultural science.
Positions in Hungary: agronomist, chief agronomist, head of department,managing director during 37 years.
Positions abroad (Iran, Algeria): project manager, expert of irrigation and economicsduring 8 years.
Present position: Director of economics of Szarvas-Fish Ltd.