Brazil is currently one of the three largest importers of Vietnamese pangasius, ranking behind China and the United States.

According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in the first half of April 2025, Vietnam's pangasius export value to Brazil reached USD 7 million, a 31% increase compared to the same period last year. As of April 15, cumulative pangasius exports to this market reached USD 55 million, marking a 67% year-on-year increase. Brazil has thus become Vietnam’s third-largest pangasius export market.

Data from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) indicates that 90% of Brazil’s seafood imports from Vietnam are pangasius products.

In Q1/2025, Brazil primarily imported frozen pangasius fillet portions under HS code 0304. Other pangasius products, such as dried pangasius and value-added items, accounted for only a small share of exports to this market.

Nam Viet Corporation (Navico) was the leading Vietnamese pangasius exporter to Brazil in Q1/2025, contributing 14% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value to this market.

At the end of April, Brazil officially lifted its suspension on tilapia imports from Vietnam. This restriction had been imposed in February 2024 by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) due to concerns about the potential spread of the Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), a contagious and rapidly spreading disease in fish.

In Q1/2025, Vietnam earned USD 465 million from pangasius exports, up 13% year-on-year. China and Hong Kong remained Vietnam’s largest pangasius export destination, with USD 105 million (down 6% y-o-y), followed by the U.S. with USD 69 million (up 6%), Brazil with over USD 48 million (up 73%), and the EU with USD 45 million (up 16%).

Source: Mekong ASEAN