Bolivia 2T/H Commercial Fish Feed Plant For Tilapia Pellets

Local Raw Materials: Supporting Sustainable Production

Given Bolivia's agricultural diversity and fertile lands, the client planned from the beginning to rely heavily on locally sourced raw materials to keep production costs competitive and ensure steady supply. The raw materials for this tilapia feed project include cornmeal, soybean meal, fish meal, wheat bran, rice bran, and a carefully balanced mix of vitamins and minerals.

A typical raw material composition used for the production of 2-4mm floating tilapia pellets in this plant includes:

• Cornmeal: 35%
• Soybean meal: 25%
• Fish meal: 20%
• Wheat bran: 10%
• Rice bran: 5%
• Additives, vitamins & minerals: 5%

The locally grown corn and soybean meal provide the necessary protein and energy content, while the fish meal is sourced from regional freshwater fish processing by-products. This not only reduces waste but also strengthens the sustainability profile of the entire production line.

Process Design: An Optimized Floating Feed Production Line

The Bolivia 2t/h commercial tilapia feed factory was designed for maximum efficiency, product consistency, and ease of expansion. The customer’s main requirement was to build a modern floating fish feed extrusion line that could also be upgraded easily in the future to 5T/H capacity as their business grows.

The feed production process is designed to transform raw materials into uniform floating pellets through a combination of precision grinding, mixing, extrusion, drying, cooling, coating, and packing. Below is a detailed breakdown of each process stage:

1. Crushing and Grinding:
   Large raw materials like corn and soybean meal are first crushed using an SFSP56*40 hammer mill to reduce particle size. This ensures that all ingredients blend uniformly, promoting better extrusion and pellet integrity.
2. Mixing:
   Once the raw ingredients are crushed, they enter a horizontal ribbon feed mixer (SLHY2.5A). Here, the different components are thoroughly blended to achieve a homogeneous mix, which is crucial for consistent nutrient distribution in each pellet.
3. Pelletizing through Extrusion:
   Unlike traditional pelleting, this plant uses a DSP-160B floating fish feed extruder. This high-efficiency extruder cooks and shapes the mixed material under high temperature and pressure, gelatinizing the starch and denaturing the proteins. This process improves digestibility and allows the finished pellets to float on water for extended periods — an essential characteristic for tilapia feeding.
4. Drying:
   Freshly extruded pellets have a high moisture content. A mesh belt dryer (RH-WH2000) is used to reduce this moisture to about 8%, ensuring the feed’s storage stability and shelf life.
5. Cooling:
   Hot, dried pellets are cooled in an SKLN17*17 counterflow cooler to near ambient temperatures. This step helps maintain pellet integrity and prevents mold during storage.
6. Coating:
   To enhance palatability and nutritional value, pellets pass through two SYPL15C coating machines where oils and attractants are added uniformly.
7. Packing:
   Finally, the finished feed is weighed and packed using a DCS-50 automatic packing machine into bags ready for distribution to local fish farms.

Finished Products and Their Use

The primary product of this tilapia fish feed plant in Bolivia project is 2-4mm floating tilapia pellets, tailored for different tilapia growth stages — from juvenile to mature fish. The high digestibility of extruded feed promotes faster growth rates, better feed conversion ratios, and minimal feed wastage.

While a portion of the feed is used by the client’s own fish farms, a significant share is sold commercially to nearby aquaculture operations, enabling smaller farmers to benefit from affordable, high-quality floating feed previously inaccessible to them.

The flexibility of the fish feed production line also allows the client to produce other aquatic species feeds or even pet food should they wish to diversify their product range.

Advanced Equipment Configuration for Reliable Output

The client invested in high-grade equipment from RICHI to guarantee performance and durability, ensuring that the production line runs efficiently with minimal downtime. Below is the detailed configuration of the main floating fish feed machine used in the 2t/h tilapia fish feed plant in Bolivia:

This robust tilapia fish feed plant in Bolivia provides the client with a steady production capacity of 2 tons per hour while allowing easy maintenance and future upgrades.

Investment Timeline and Financial Insights

The initial idea for this tilapia fish feed plant in Bolivia project was explored by the client in early 2018 when they approached RICHI Machinery among ten potential suppliers. After several rounds of technical discussions, a detailed feasibility plan, and comparison of solutions, the client signed the final contract with RICHI on January 18th, 2019. The entire installation and commissioning period took only ten days — a testament to the experience and efficiency of RICHI's installation team.

The total estimated investment for the 2t/h tilapia fish feed plant in Bolivia started at around USD 100,000, providing the client with a highly cost-effective entry point into commercial feed manufacturing. Given the cost savings from local raw material sourcing and the premium market price for floating feed, the plant is expected to achieve a strong return on investment within the first two years of operation.

A Strong Future for Aquafeed Production in Bolivia

Bolivia's fish farming sector has enormous untapped potential. With rising domestic consumption of tilapia and growing awareness of sustainable aquaculture practices, the demand for high-quality feed is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. Floating feed reduces water pollution and feed waste — key benefits that align well with the country's environmental goals and farmers’ needs to increase yields sustainably.

RICHI Machinery's experience in delivering reliable, customizable feed production solutions positions them as a trusted partner for Bolivian producers aiming to expand or modernize their operations. This project is not an isolated success: RICHI has already completed eight other feed production projects in Bolivia, demonstrating their deep understanding of local conditions and production goals.

Below is an overview of some of the other projects RICHI has delivered in Bolivia, showcasing the diversity of solutions provided:

Why More Investors Should Consider a Similar Project

This tilapia fish feed plant in Bolivia project serves as a clear example that investing in a modern fish feed extrusion plant is not just feasible but highly strategic for local aquaculture development. By producing nutritionally superior, floating feed locally, operators can reduce reliance on imports, improve feed performance, support sustainable farming practices, and gain a competitive advantage in the growing fish market.

With RICHI Machinery's comprehensive design, high-quality machinery, and proven expertise, new investors in Bolivia and similar regions have the opportunity to replicate this success and tap into a market with significant growth potential.

Thinking of expanding your aquafeed production or starting your own tilapia feed business? Reach out to RICHI Machinery for tailored fish feed mill project solutions and discover how your investment can deliver quality, efficiency, and profitability for years to come.