On April 24, 2025, Brazil’s Official Gazette published an announcement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) officially lifting the suspension on tilapia imports from Vietnam. This marks one of the earliest and most concrete outcomes achieved by both sides under the Vietnam–Brazil Strategic Partnership Action Plan 2025–2030, aiming to foster comprehensive and practical cooperation for the benefit of both nations.
Background: Temporary Ban on Vietnamese Tilapia
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In February 2024, the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) temporarily suspended imports of Vietnamese fish to review the country’s sanitary inspection procedures amid concerns over the potential spread of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) — a contagious disease affecting fish populations. The suspension also followed industry complaints alleging that certain import activities did not fully comply with Brazil’s health standards.
Between November 2023 and February 2024, Brazil issued 22 import permits for Vietnamese tilapia fillets, rejecting two, with only one shipment cleared in December 2023.
The Brazilian Fish Industry Association (Abipesca) expressed concerns that the suspension could harm Brazil’s domestic tilapia industry, already struggling with high production costs and competition from markets with differing conditions. Similarly, Peixe BR, Brazil’s Aquaculture Association, criticized the suspension as “premature and lacking prudence.”
Brazil Confirms Reversal and Future Cooperation
Despite these objections, the Brazilian Government stated that the resumption of tilapia imports is irreversible, aligning with ongoing trade negotiations between the two governments in late March 2025 — particularly discussions on Vietnam’s potential market access for Brazilian beef.
Technically, MAPA clarified that the lifting of the suspension does not compromise national biosecurity standards. The decision was based on an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) conducted after domestic industry warnings in 2024 about potential TiLV transmission risks.
The IRA concluded that the risk posed by importing tilapia fillets is negligible, while whole fish carry very low risk, with existing management measures in place. MAPA also reaffirmed that Brazil’s 2020 import health requirements for aquaculture products are aligned with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) guidelines.
Next Steps: Expanding Bilateral Trade
According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Brazil, upcoming negotiations will focus on completing the final technical steps for Brazil to authorize imports of Vietnamese pangasius (tra fish) fillets, following recognized international standards. In return, Vietnam will consider opening its market to Brazilian beef.
Further discussions will also continue on Brazilian beef offal exports and Vietnamese shrimp products, including whole shrimp and non-heat-treated items.
Opportunities for Vietnam’s Seafood Exporters
In a time of global market fluctuations, reopening Brazil to Vietnamese tilapia and potential new access for pangasius offers significant opportunities for Vietnam’s seafood exporters. This development could help boost export revenue, rebalance trade flows, and advance the bilateral trade goal of USD 15 billion by 2030.
However, experts emphasize that market access is only the first step. Vietnamese seafood processors listed for export to Brazil must proactively update, study, and strictly adhere to Brazil’s sanitary and technical regulations during production and processing to ensure sustainable market entry.