Brazil's continued proposal of a restrictive policy against imported tilapia products needs to be closely monitored. The Vietnamese tilapia industry must deploy early response measures to mitigate potential adverse impacts on businesses and farmers.

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) stated that on May 29, a body within the Chamber of Deputies of Brazil passed a bill banning the import of tilapia and tilapia products. The bill will continue to be reviewed by relevant committees before being considered for approval by the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to officially become law.

The bill was drafted based on arguments regarding disease risk prevention and the protection of Brazil's domestic tilapia production industry.

According to VASEP, this development is noteworthy for the Vietnamese tilapia industry, as Brazil is emerging as the fastest-growing market. In the first 4 months of this year, Vietnam's tilapia exports to Brazil reached approximately 26 million USD, accounting for about 54% of the country's total tilapia export turnover, making Brazil the largest import market for Vietnamese tilapia.

"This development needs to be closely monitored with early response measures implemented to minimize potential adverse impacts on domestic enterprises and tilapia farmers," VASEP assessed.

VASEP recommended that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade direct functional units to coordinate with the Embassy of Vietnam in Brazil, the Vietnam Trade Office in Brazil, and relevant Brazilian authorities to closely monitor the review process of the aforementioned bill.

The ministries and sectors should engage in discussions with the partner country to clarify regulations, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of the Vietnamese tilapia industry on scientific bases, WTO rules, and the high-level commitments achieved by both sides.

VASEP proposed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, through bilateral cooperation channels, continue working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Brazil to affirm the disease control capacity, quality management system, traceability, and biosecurity conditions guaranteed for Vietnamese tilapia products. Brazil is requested to objectively consider scientific bases and risk assessments before applying any trade restrictive measures...

In 2025, Vietnam's tilapia export turnover reached 99 million USD, up 141% compared to 2024, showing that tilapia has emerged as one of the sectors with a high growth rate in the structure of Vietnam's seafood exports. The Brazilian market alone reached 11 million USD, an increase of 7,552% compared to 2024.

During the first 4 months of 2026, Vietnam's tilapia exports reached 49 million USD, up 151% over the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive signals for the tilapia industry, in which Brazil is a major contributing market.

Source: Bao Tien Phong