China grants export licenses to another three Brazilian fisheries

According to the Secretary of Commerce and International Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture, Orlando Ribeiro, on July 27 China allowed three more Brazilian fish farms to export to their country. That makes 110 companies that have received authorization to send products to China. The enabled farms are located in Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Santa Catarina.

“It is a demand that has not evolved in a long time and has now become a reality, bringing possibilities for more trade, jobs, and income for thousands of national aquaculture and fisheries workers,” said Jorge Seif Júnior, secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries on social networks.

According to the president of the Brazilian Association of Pisciculture (Peixe BR), Francisco Medeiros, the news indicates an advance for the sector. “This step is good news. It is necessary to understand that this is not the same thing as an immediate increase in exports, but it does mean a great achievement since we opened trade with the largest market in the world for fish consumption, which is China ”, he said.

Despite the qualifications, fish exports have not yet reached their potential. Brazil exports around 6,000 tons of fish, and by-products annually, with a revenue of US$12 million. External sales grew 26% from 2018 to 2019. Production was 758,000 tons last year. Tilapia is the most exported fish, with a 19% increase in volume shipped abroad in 2019.

The following graph shows Brazilian exports of fish on a monthly basis since 2017:

Report Source: Valor Econômico