According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in the first 9 months of 2025, Vietnam’s catfish exports reached over 1.6 billion USD. This is an increase of nearly 10% compared to the same period last year. The recovery of demand in China, the US, and some Middle Eastern markets has firmly strengthened the position of Vietnamese catfish on the world seafood map.
Notably, Brazil has emerged as one of the fastest-growing single markets for Vietnamese catfish exports, ranking only behind the US and China. It is considered a potential destination, opening up opportunities for Vietnam to expand its market share.
The fish consumption market in Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, is experiencing strong growth, starting with a change in the locals’ habits. More and more families are prioritizing healthy, nutritious dishes from seafood.
According to Seafood Brasil, per capita fish consumption in Brazil reached 12.2 kg in 2024 and is expected to increase to 12.6 kg in 2025. This is a fantastic opportunity for Vietnamese fish export businesses.
Vietnam’s billion-dollar industry exploits a “gold mine” in Latin America’s largest economy.
From the beginning of 2025 to September 15, 2025, Vietnam’s exports of catfish to Brazil were nearly 122.4 million USD, an increase of 51% compared to the same period in 2024. With impressive growth, Brazil has become one of Vietnam’s top three catfish consumption destinations.
The product structure of the export catfish industry to this market is now focused on frozen catfish fillets, while value-added products such as fish cakes or fish balls account for a small proportion. Meanwhile, Brazilian consumers are increasingly favoring processed convenient products.
The Brazilian market is opening up many opportunities for Vietnamese catfish, but along with this, the Vietnamese catfish export industry still faces many barriers.
First, the long geographical distance increases logistics costs, while the extended shipping time significantly reduces the competitiveness of Vietnam’s products.
Brazil applies a very strict system of quarantine, traceability, and food safety standards. These require Vietnamese businesses not only to comply with international standards but also to meet the local country’s specific regulations. It forces exporters to invest systematically in quality control, market research, and more flexible and standardized production-export processes.
Besides technical barriers, the Vietnamese catfish industry also faces significant pressure from competition from other items like tilapia and pollock, two popular products with a strong foothold in Brazil. These competitors not only have the advantage of lower logistics costs but also have a wide and stable distribution network, making their products easily accessible to local consumers.
Along with this, the failure to diversify value-added products means that the export value of Vietnamese catfish to Brazil has not been commensurate with its potential, despite the rapidly increasing demand in this market, which is considered a “new gold mine” for Vietnamese seafood.