Now it's on course for three million as early as next year, according to some experts' estimates.
What is clear is tilapia is a force with which to be reckoned in modern aquaculture. Production sites spread across almost every contintent and total output is almost double that of the so-called "next big thing," pangasius.
In this photo gallery, IntraFish takes a look at how the fish came to dominate farmed whitefish and what the future holds.
