EN 
PT_BR 
The Brazilian fish farming sector begins the year with a historic milestone: the highest value ever recorded in exports for a quarter. Between January and March 2025, the country exported US$18.5 million in farmed fish, an increase of 1,121,400 tons compared to the same period in 2024. There was also a jump in the volume exported, which reached 3,938 tons – an increase of 891,400 tons.
Photo: Jonathan Campos
Tilapia continues to be the clear leader in Brazilian fish farming exports. In the first quarter of 2025, the species generated US$1.5T 17 million, representing 92% of the total value exported by the sector. Compared to the same period in 2024, growth was 105%. In terms of volume, more than 3,455 tons of tilapia were exported – the equivalent of approximately 72 thousand supermarket carts full of fish, considering an average of 50 kg per cart.
Among native species, the highlight was curimatá, with US$$ 580 thousand in exports and an increase of 333%. Tambaqui also stood out, with US$$ 479 thousand exported in the quarter. Pacu, on the other hand, showed a significant increase in percentage, driven by a very low base in 2024 - only US$$ 2,432 in the same period last year.
For the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, André de Paula, the results are a reflection of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the sector. “The MPA has been working side by side with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to open new international markets, while at the same time we are advancing on structural fronts, such as environmental licensing for aquaculture. We are signing new concessions for use in Federal Waters and offering legal security so that producers can grow regularly and responsibly,” he highlighted.
The data is from the Comexstat/Ministry of Economy platform – General Export and Import (2025) and was compiled in the Foreign Trade Information on Fish Farming, edition 21, published by Embrapa Fisheries and Aquaculture, access by clicking here.
