Brazil becomes increasingly important to Vietnam seafood exports

From 5th place in 2011 with 4.7% of total pangasius imports from Vietnam, Brazil was ranked 2^nd in 2013 and remain this position 2014. Eight months of 2014 saw an increase of Brazil domination in market shares to 7.2%.

As of September 15^th 2014, Vietnam pangasius exports to Brazil reached US$ 86.2 million, up 19% year on year, adding 0.1% to the share of Brazil in 2014.

In 2013, Brazil was the 13^th biggest seafood importer, with nearly 420 thousand MT. Brazil imported 176 thousand MT of frozen fillets (HS code 0304), accounted for 42% of total seafood imports. It was the 8th global biggest frozen fillet importer with continuous growth in 10 consecutive years. Compared to 34 thousand MT in 2004, it was a 5-fold growth.

Until 2013, China was the largest seafood supplier for Brazilian market with over 73 thousand MT, accounted for 41% of total shares while Vietnam was the runner up with 54 thousand MT, accounted for 31%. In 2014, Vietnam surpassed China to be the largest supplier of frozen fish fillets to Brazil, with about 44 thousand MT of fish (mainly pangasius) in 8 months of the year, while China exported 33 thousand MT of fish, mostly were marine fish such as pollock, salmon and cod.

In 8 first months of 2014 , imports of frozen fish fillets of Brazil dropped by 7.4%, from 118 thousand MT (in 2013) to 109 thousand MT. Import volumes rose in the initial 4 months of the year, sharp year-on-year decline of 15-36% was witnessed.  

A quarter of the total fillet products imported in the first 8 months of 2014 was frozen catfish fillets, with the volume of over 27 thousand MT, up nearly 89%. Alaskan pollock was the second most imported product with 23 thousand MT, down 49%.

Vietnam pangasius is highly appreciated in Brazilian market with the increase in both volume and average price. Brazil imported catfish at the average price from US$ 1.93 - 1.94/kg from January to April. From May to September, the price was US$ 2.02 - 2.08 USD/kg.