Fish exports from Brazil’s Rio Grande do Norte to U.S. plunge 80% after tariffs

Brazil’s fish exports from Rio Grande do Norte to the United States have dropped 80% since the 50% tariff imposed by the U.S. government came into effect. The measure, adopted by President Donald Trump, directly hit the state’s fishing sector, which now exports only 20% of the volume previously destined for the U.S. market.

See below a comparison of Brazilian frozen fish exports in the first seven months of the year over the past four years. The chart was prepared with DataLiner data:

Brazilian Frozen Fish Exports | Jan to July 2022–2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

According to the Rio Grande do Norte Fishing Industry Union (Sindipesca), the tariff led to half of the state’s tuna fishing fleet being idled. Export volumes fell from about 300 tons per month to less than 50 tons. Part of the tariff cost is being absorbed by the processing plants and part by buyers, through direct negotiations between companies.

Despite the decline in exports, the sector has not yet seen layoffs. Some companies have opted to grant workers vacation as a way to preserve jobs amid reduced production.

Data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade show that total exports from Rio Grande do Norte to the United States fell 74% between July and August, from US$6.25 million to US$1.62 million. The sectors most affected were fishing and salt, both of which had a strong presence in the U.S. market.

Arimar França Filho, president of Sindipesca-RN, said the industry is waiting for the swift regulation of the “Plano Brasil Soberano,” which foresees access to credit and measures to preserve jobs. He also highlighted the importance of opening the European market as an alternative to offset losses in the U.S.

In the salt sector, which previously sent 47% of its exports to the United States, the main concern is losing clients. Airton Torres, president of the Salt Extraction Industry Union (Siesal), called the damage “incalculable” and warned of the risk of not being able to recover lost buyers in the future. Still, companies in the sector are not considering layoffs, focusing instead on preserving jobs.

One of the measures taken to soften the crisis was the temporary expansion of the Rio Grande do Norte Industrial Development Program (Proedi), which doubled ICMS incentives and guaranteed up to R$2 million in tax credits. The inclusion of salt in the federal Reintegra program was also discussed with Vice President Geraldo Alckmin in Brasília.

The Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Norte (FIERN) has been working alongside federal and state governments to seek solutions. Its president, Roberto Serquiz, joined a mission to the U.S. to present the impact of the tariffs to local institutions. He emphasized that Rio Grande do Norte salt is recognized for its purity and quality, and that the state’s tuna also has characteristics that make it hard to replace in the U.S. market.

Serquiz said the priority is to maintain jobs and find commercial alternatives. Some companies are scheduling worker vacations and sacrificing profit margins to maintain market share. The next six months will be decisive in determining whether layoffs or real losses occur in the sector.

Hugo Fonseca, deputy secretary of economic development of Rio Grande do Norte, said a state decree expanded support for affected companies, with a focus on market diversification. He noted growth in Brazilian exports to Mexico (+43.8%) and Mercosur countries (+40.4%) in August as positive signs.

At the national level, the Plano Brasil Soberano foresees R$30 billion in credit through the Export Guarantee Fund, higher Reintegra rates, extension of the drawback regime, and support to producers through public purchases. The credit lines are expected to be regulated later in September, directly benefiting Rio Grande do Norte companies.

Source: Por dentro do RN

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