Fish exports gain momentum with new agreement signed between ApexBrasil and Abipesca.

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) and the Brazilian Association of Fish Industries (Abipesca) renewed on Wednesday (26) the agreement for the sectoral project. Brazilian Seafood, which supports the internationalization of Brazilian companies in the seafood sector. The renewal, held in Brasília, also marked the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the association that represents the Brazilian seafood industry and works to strengthen the production chain and increase the sector's competitiveness in the global market.

Photo: Press Release/OPR

Signed in 2023, the initial agreement is now entering its second phase, valid until 2027. This renewal involves a total investment of R$12 million, with R$6 million contributed by ApexBrasil and R$6 million as a counterpart from Abipesca. In the previous phase, R$8.88 million was invested between 2023 and 2025, contributing to the sector's improved performance over the last 15 years. At the signing ceremony, the president of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, noted that Brazil produces an average of 223 million tons of fish and advocated for strengthening public policies for the sector. "The value of this agreement is still small considering the sector's economic importance, which is responsible for feeding a large part of the world's population. We have the potential for much more," said the president of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana.

With the sectoral project Brazilian SeafoodBrazil has registered significant progress. In 2010, exports totaled US$30 million, while in 2024 they reached US$150 million. Despite the growth, Brazil's share of the global market is still modest: it represents approximately 0.12% of an estimated US$120 billion. The numbers reveal room for expansion. According to the president of Abipesca, Eduardo Lobo, this is a historic moment for the sector. “With the support of ApexBrasil, we achieved significant results and the sector had its best performance in the last 15 years. Now we are in a position to advance even further. Our focus is to consolidate the presence of Brazilian fish in strategic markets, such as the United States and China,” he emphasized.

Among the actions planned for this next cycle are participation in international trade fairs, such as the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo, as well as initiatives to expand access to strategic markets mapped by the Agency.