EN 
PT_BR Brazilian fish farming experienced a boom in exports during the first half of 2025. According to a survey conducted by Embrapa Fisheries and Aquaculture, in partnership with the Brazilian Fish Farming Association (Peixe BR), the sector reached US$1.5 trillion in revenue and shipped 8,000 tons, representing increases of 521.5 trillion and 491.5 trillion, respectively, compared to the same period in 2024.
Photo: Claudio Neves
The positive performance was also reflected in the second quarter, which recorded US$1.5T in foreign sales, an increase of US$1.6T compared to the same period last year. March was the peak month (US$1.5T 7.8 million), while April led the quarter with US$1.5T 5.9 million exported.
Tilapia dominates shipments
Tilapia once again emerged as the leading species in Brazilian fish farming for the international market, accounting for 95% of exports in the second quarter (US$16.4 million). Despite a slight decline of 3% in the period, the species remains the industry's anchor. Tambaqui appears as the second most exported species (US$111,000), despite a decline of 35%. Trout, on the other hand, saw significant percentage growth, albeit modestly.
Photos: Jonathan Campos
Expanding categories
Among the product categories, fresh or chilled fillets led foreign sales, totaling US$10.8 million in the second quarter, an increase of US$501 million in the first half of the year compared to 2024, although with a decrease of US$151 million in relation to the previous quarter.
Frozen whole fish came in second, with US$1.5 million (+91.00 TQ) over the previous quarter. Frozen fillets saw the highlight in terms of growth: +88.00 TQ in the quarter and a significant 19.41 TQ in the half-year, reaching US$1.5 million.
The United States was the main buyer
The United States absorbed 89% of exports in the first half of the year, totaling US$15.6 million in the second quarter. Tilapia accounted for virtually all of this amount (US$15.5 million).
Canada (US$ 438 thousand) and Japan (US$ 260 thousand) appear next, both also driven by tilapia.
Peru, in turn, stood out for its purchases of native species, especially tambaqui, which registered growth
of 777% compared to the first half of 2024.
Falling prices
Despite the increase in volumes, average tilapia prices fell. The most significant drop was observed for fresh or chilled whole tilapia, which fell from US$1.50/kg in 2024 to US$1.50/kg in 2025 (-1.71/kg).
Paraná maintains leadership
In the state ranking, Paraná leads the way, accounting for 56% of total exports (US$$ 9.2 million). São Paulo comes in second, with US$$ 4.2 million (26%), but registered a decrease of 31% compared to the first quarter. Mato Grosso do Sul came in third, accounting for 16% of the total. Santa Catarina and Pará concentrated their sales on whole frozen tilapia.
With increasing results in volume and value, even in the face of falling prices, Brazilian fish farming confirms its potential in the foreign market, especially with tilapia as its flagship and the United States as its main trading partner.
