Brazilian fish exports hit record

A study by Embrapa Fisheries and Aquaculture in partnership with the Brazilian Association of Aquaculture (Peixe BR) showed Brazil’s fish export revenue increased by 15% in 2022, reaching U$S 23.8 milhões, the highest in the history of the sector. The country that consumes Brazilian fish the most was the United States, which accounted for 81% of Brazilian fish exports. Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), the species that is sold the most to other countries, increased by 28% in comparison 2021, to a total of US$23.2 million. The information was published in Boletim Informativo 12 by Embrapa Fisheries and Aquaculture’s Aquaculture and Market Intelligence Center (CIAqui).

In general, the first semester of 2022 had higher export volumes than the second. Fish farming product exports totalled US$ 14.3 million, a 100% growth in comparison with the same period in 2021. A monthly analysis of the exports shows variations in the course of the year, and the highest volume both in terms of finances and in tons took place in the month of May.

Tilapia remains the star among the most exported fish species, accounting for 98% of the country’s fish exports. A foreign preference for frozen whole tilapia remained steady, having grown 70% in comparison with the previous year. Fresh fillets came second, with 25% of the total exported and an 8% increase from 2021. The frozen fillets category recorded the highest growth: 98% between 2021 and 2022.

The second most exported species in 2022 was tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), with US$ 268,000 and a decrease of 51% in comparison with 2021. The sorubim fish category took third place, with US$ 114,000 and an increase of 186% in the year, the largest growth among the species ranked.

Photo: Envato

Professionalization in the sector

According to Embrapa researcher Manoel Xavier Pedroza Filho,the growth in production (especially of tilapia) and the search for new sales channels are some of the factors that explain the boost in Brazilian fish exports. “The sector’s growth stems from increased professionalization and companies scaling-up production. This has allowed us to enter the international market, which is exceptionally demanding in terms of quality and volume,” he explains. “Meanwhile the domestic market has shown periods of stagnation in fish consumption, leading to a drop in demand and in prices. In this context, exporting becomes an alternative to escoamento production and reduces reliances on a single market”, the expert assesses.

For Francisco Medeiros, chair of Peixe BR, 2022 was a challenging year, but domestic prodution kept growing. “The global economy deaccelerated due to the pandemic and also suffered the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Moreover, it was a period of high production costs and of disadjustments in international trade. In spite of those and other adversities, Brazilian fish farming grew 2%. Such growth was not similar to in previous years, but the acitivy nevertheless showed an ascending curve, which proved there is a growing demand for farmed fish”, he states. “We produced 860,000 tons in total, with tilapia once again in the lead. Native fish remain a highly relevant segment, and other species like striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) are on the rise”, he reports.

USA are top fish buyers

The absolute leading importer of Brazilian fish, the United States were responsible for 81% of those sales, followed by Canada, with a mere 5%, then Taiwan, Libya and Mexico. Exports to the United Stated grew by 43% and reached US$ 19 million. Despite no shipments to Lybia in the last quarter of 2022, the destination saw a 550% increase in exports accumulated in the year.

“Most exports to the United States comprise the categories of frozen whole fish, fresh or refrigerated fillets, and frozen fillets. In the latter case [frozen fillets], exports increased by 80%, confirming a growth trend  that had been observed throughout 2021 in this category”, Pedroza asserted. For Canada, the main export in the sector were frozen whole fish, which represented 79% of the total (US$ 941,000). As for Taiwan, the top exported category was of byproducts that are not for human consumption(US$ 531,000), which includes items like oils, flours and scales.

Among the Brazilian states that most exported fish in 2022, Paraná led with 58% of the total, a 114% increase from the previous year, followed by Mato Grosso do Sul, with 18% of the total, and Bahia, with 11%. São Paulo’s growth was noteworthy: 127% in comparison with 2021.

Font: embrapa.br

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