The catfish and the jundiá — including the jundiá, mandi, pacamã, and imported species like the American catfish — are fish in high demand in the Northeast, South, and Midwest. They are rustic species, tolerant to the environmental variations typical of the semi-arid region, with a distinctly flavored meat that is highly appreciated in regional cuisines.
The jundiá (Rhamdia quelen) is the most cultivated species in the South of Brazil after tilapia and carp — and the southern catfish has a growing demand in steakhouses and regional cuisine restaurants. In the Northeast, the sea catfish (Cathorops spixii) is one of the most consumed fish along the coast.
When catfish are produced in a technical system and marketed with a regional identity, this segment can contribute significantly to job and income generation in Brazil.
Join our strategic actions to implement the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and the 255 segments of national agriculture — from grain production to sustainable extraction, including horticulture, fruit farming, livestock, and much more.
The series Innovation For Brazil to Produce More was developed precisely to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and worldwide across the 255 agricultural sector segments — with accessible technical language, up-to-date data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, government, and marketers.
1. Opportunities for Small Rural Producers
How to produce jundiá and catfish with quality for the regional market
The jundiá is highly tolerant to cold and low salinity — ideal for the South of Brazil. The northeastern catfish tolerates heat and salinity, adapted to the semi-arid climate. Both species have acceptable growth with feed containing 28 to 32% protein.
✔ Jundiá: semi-intensive system in tanks; slaughter at 300 to 500g
✔ Northeastern catfish: polyculture with tilapia in ponds
✔ Extruded feed specifically for carnivores
✔ Water quality control: pH 6.5 to 8.0
✔ PRONAF for aquaculture of regional native species
The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for the Small Rural Producer presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and the other 254 in Brazilian agriculture — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0. Access now for BRL 99.00 →
2. Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers
What equipment does the catfish chain demand
Catfish demand tanks, aerators, and fillet processing — with smoked jundiá being the highest value product of the species.
Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment
Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:
Electrical and Computer Engineering — aerators and cold chambers;
Electronic Engineering and IoT — water quality sensors;
Control and Automation Engineering — automatic feeders;
Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — filleting machines for catfish;
Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for aquaculture;
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — production management.
✔ Tanks for jundiá and catfish production
✔ Smokers for artisanal jundiá
✔ Cold chambers for processing
✔ Technical assistance in native catfish
✔ Traceability for the regional market
The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services. Access now for BRL 99.00 →
3. Opportunities for Municipal Governments
How municipalities can support catfish and jundiá with regional identity
The southern jundiá and the northeastern catfish have strong regional cultural identities — and a municipality that supports their technical production creates a product with identity in a growing market.
✔ Community aquaculture of jundiá and catfish
✔ Jundiá or Catfish Festival — regional identity
✔ Municipal IDM: locally produced catfish and jundiá
✔ PNAE with regional native fish for school meals
✔ Fish slaughterhouse with municipal inspection
The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step for municipal secretaries and managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of agriculture. Access now for BRL 99.00 →
4. Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Traders
How catfish and jundiá generate business for restaurants and the regional market
The artisanal smoked jundiá from the South of Brazil reaches R$ 40 to R$ 60/kg — with a distinctive flavor of catfish that consumers in Rio Grande do Sul love and that premium shops in the capitals seek as a regional identity product.
For regional cuisine restaurants, catfish stew with locally produced fish is an identity dish that attracts tourists and locals seeking authentic cuisine.
Products with high commercial potential
The main products derived from this segment for the local retail and foodservice:
Artisanal smoked jundiá— R$ 40 to R$ 60/kg; gaucho identity;
Fresh catfish for stew— regional gastronomic product;
Premium jundiá fillet— restaurants and supermarkets;
Seasoned catfish for barbecue— regional B2B product;
Certified organic jundiá— growing premium niche;
Native catfish moqueca— identity gastronomic product.
Trader profiles and their specific opportunities
✔ Regional restaurants: local jundiá and catfish production
✔ Smokers: smoked jundiá for gaucho shops
✔ Regional distributors: catfish for fish markets and fairs
✔ Family aquaculturists: jundiá in backyard tanks
✔ PNAE: regional native fish for school meals
✔ Digital platforms: smoked jundiá with identity
Growth strategies for the local trader
The jundiá farmer who smokes and sells directly to shops in the capitals has a gaucho identity product with growing demand and still very small supply — an ideal condition to grow without direct competition.
The PRONAF and the BRDE support aquaculture in the South. The BNB/FNE supports the Northeast. The Pronampe finances processors.
The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Agricultural Product Trader maps 30 trader profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 segments of agriculture. Access now for BRL 99.00 →
Network of Innovation and Technology
By acquiring any e-book in the series, you become a member of our Network of Innovation and Technology. Groups with 30 members can organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best available solutions in Brazil and worldwide.
✔ Small Rural Producers
✔ Micro and Small Supplier Companies
✔ Municipal Governments
✔ Small Agricultural Product Traders
⭐ Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.
Sincerely,
Ivo Alves
CEO · Master in Electrical and Computer Engineering · Specialist in Project Management of Innovation and Technology
Professor: IFPB and UFRN · 38 years of experience in Engineering
Written by
Equipe Editorial
Content Team
Nossa equipe de especialistas compartilhando conhecimento.
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