(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
Monthly export dynamics
Exports to Brazil fluctuated significantly during the first half of the year. While January saw a 47% expansion, February and March experienced sharp contractions of 27% and 41%, respectively. April and May posted moderate to marginal recoveries of 13% and 2%, respectively, before retreating by 11% in June. By the close of the first half, cumulative turnover stood at $88 million, trailing the previous year's figure by 6%.
Exports rebounded from July, generating approximately $17 million - a 63% year-over-year increase - and further expanded to $19 million in August. Two consecutive months of growth pushed cumulative exports for the first eight months into positive territory.
Vietnam maintains a strategic position in Brazil’s seafood supply
The recovery of Vietnam’s pangasius exports unfolds against a backdrop of Brazil’s substantial reliance on imported seafood. According to ABRAPES, the Brazilian Association for the Promotion of Aquaculture, Vietnam accounted for 24.8% of Brazil’s seafood import volume, positioning it as the second-largest supply partner. This underscores the significant and entrenched role of Vietnamese supply within the Brazilian seafood market.
By species, pangasius constitutes 19.8% of total volume, ranking second only to salmon (40.8%). Vietnam’s supply complements domestic production and contributes to diversifying the supply of fish fillets available to Brazilian consumers.
Strong demand coupled with stringent regulatory requirements
Demand for pangasius in Brazil is predominantly concentrated in the frozen fillet segment. In 2025, Brazil’s pangasius imports surged by 22% in value and 16% in volume year-over-year, making pangasius the country’s second-largest imported farmed fish species after salmon.
Concurrently, the competitive landscape among supplying nations is intensifying, accompanied by heightened scrutiny over import regulations. Imported seafood products must comply with Brazil’s regulations on food safety and hygiene, approved lists of establishments eligible to export, registration with the relevant authorities and sanitary certification requirements.
In light of these dynamics, the growth momentum sustained through July and August serves as a highly positive indicator for Vietnam's pangasius export sector. Moving forward, enterprises must continuously monitor localized purchasing power, supply-side competition, and shifts in Brazil's regulatory frameworks to proactively optimize their export strategies for the final months of the year.