Brazilian fish farming has a record increase in exports

Exports of Brazilian fish farming showed a record value growth in 2024: increase in 138%, in relation to 2023, reaching 59 million dollars. Volume, The growth was 102%, passing 6.815 tons for 13.792 tons. Is the largest increase in volume exported since 2021. The increase in fresh fillet shipments was the main factor responsible for increasing exports in 2024, reaching US $ 36 millions.

Frozen whole fish were the second most exported category with US $ 17 millions. This and other information is contained in the newest edition of Informative Foreign Trade of Fish Farming, Produced by Embrapa Fisheries and Aquaculture, in partnership with the Brazilian Fish Farming Association (Fishbr). The publication is free and can be accessed Neste Link.

According to Manoel Pedroza, Researcher at Embrapa Fisheries and Aquaculture, the reason for the increase of 138% in exported value is due to the reduction in the price of tilapia on the domestic market. “There was an important drop in the price of tilapia paid to the producer throughout 2024. With, not end of 2023, the price of tilapia paid to the producer reached an average of R$ 9,73 the kilo, at the end of 2024 this value fell to R$ 7,85, according to data from the Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics – Cepea. This encouraged some companies to aim at the foreign market ”, explained.

The increase in the dollar price against the real is also another factor that justifies the increase in exports, beyond the elevation of tilapia production. “There was an increase in production of the species, And the domestic market did not absorb the largest offer. Therefore, Companies sought other countries to sell fish ”, explains Pedroza.

Tilapia responds for 94% of exports

Tilapia represents 94% of exports in national fish farming, totaling US $ 55,6 Millions - Growth of 138% compared to the previous year. Volume, There was a growth of 92%, reaching 12.463 tons of tilapia sold to other countries. The curimatás occupied the second position, com US$ 1,2 million and growth of 437% in value.

The United States was the country that most imported Brazilian fish, being responsible for 89% national exports of fish farming in 2024, totaling US $ 52,3 millions. The main species sold to Americans was Tilapia. Native fish were the preference of Peru, that imported US $ 1,1 Million of Curimatá, US$ 746 Mil of Pacu is US $ 571 A thousand of our tambaqui.

Despite the record growth in exports in 2024, The trade balance of fishing products closed with a deficit of US $ 992 millions, due to the increase in imports that reached US $ 1 billion. Salmon is the main species imported in fish farming by Brazil, Followed by Pangasius. “There was an increase in 9% in the value of the importation of salmon and in 5% volume, reaching the 909 million dollars. This corresponds to 87% of the total volume imported by the country ”, says Pedroza.

With information from Elisângela Santos | Communication | Embrapa