Brazil tilapia imports exceed exports for the first time, industry group says

Brazil’s tilapia imports have surpassed exports for the first time, according to data released by industry association Peixe BR.

According to container movement data compiled by Datamar’s market intelligence team, Brazil exported 8 TEUs of tilapia in January 2026—comprising whole fish as well as frozen, fresh, or chilled fillets—while imports reached 112 TEUs.

The following provides a full breakdown of Brazilian tilapia import volumes (including whole fish and various cuts) since January 2023:”

Tilapia Imports | Jan 2023 – Jan 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

In February, the country imported more than 1,300 tonnes of tilapia fillets from Vietnam, equivalent to about 4,100 tonnes of live fish. The volume represents roughly 6.5% of Brazil’s monthly production.

The fish farming sector has expanded in recent years, with tilapia among the fastest-growing animal proteins in the country. According to the association, production has grown at an average rate of more than 10% annually over the past decade, placing Brazil as the world’s fourth-largest tilapia producer.

Peixe BR said the rise in imports reflects a price gap. Imported fillets have been sold in Brazil at BRL 25 to BRL 29 per kilogram.

“That is roughly the same price as fish arriving at processing plants in Brazil, creating a significant distortion in competition,” said Francisco Medeiros, president of Peixe BR.

The association attributes part of the loss of competitiveness to factors such as tax burden, labor costs and regulatory requirements, adding that in some cases imported products enter the country with tax advantages.

On sanitary issues, the group said it has requested that Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture send a technical mission to Vietnam to conduct an Import Risk Analysis. According to the association, diseases not yet identified in Brazil — such as the Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) — have been recorded in Vietnam.

“There are diseases in Vietnam that are not present here and have high mortality rates. We urgently need this assessment,” Medeiros said.

The increase in imports comes during Lent, when domestic demand for fish typically rises. Industry representatives said the inflow of foreign product could influence price formation in the local market.

“Exports help balance the domestic market. With rising imports, that effect is reduced, which could negatively impact the sector,” Medeiros said. “We are not against imports, but we need a level playing field to compete,” he added.

By Gabriella Weiss, CNN Brasil

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