Paraná leads by a wide margin in national fish meat production

Tilapia's Global Ascent: Paraná, Brazil, Leads Export Surge

BRAZIL
Friday, May 23, 2025, 07:00 (GMT + 9)

Brazilian State's Fish Exports Skyrocket Over 4,600% in Five Years, Driven Primarily by Tilapia Fillets to the U.S.

PARANÁ – Tilapia, often dubbed the "aquatic chicken" for its adaptability, rapid growth, and mild flavor, continues to solidify its position as one of the world's most significant farmed fish species. This global ascent is powerfully exemplified by the remarkable growth in exports from Paraná, Brazil, a state that has seen its fish export revenue skyrocket by over 4,600% in just five years.

Photo: Cooperativa C.Vale / Jonathan Campos

According to the Agricultural Situation Bulletin for the week of May 15-21, prepared by the Department of Rural Economy (Deral) of the State Secretariat of Agriculture and Supply (Seab), Paraná's fish exports reached US$11.15 million in the first four months of 2025, a dramatic increase from US$233.2 thousand in the same period of 2020.

Photo: Cooperativa C.Vale / Jonathan Campos

This growth is equally evident in volume. In the first four months of 2025, Paraná registered the export of 2,700 tonnes of fish, marking a 1,300% increase compared to the 187 tonnes recorded in the first four months of 2020. This volume also represents a significant 43% increase compared to the same period last year, indicating sustained momentum. Nationally, Paraná's share of Brazil's total fish exports has surged from just over 1% in 2020 to an impressive 11.8% in 2024.

Tilapia Dominates Paraná's Export Success:

Deral analyst Edmar Gervásio highlighted the crucial role of tilapia in this success story. "It accounts for almost 90% of all the volume that is exported," Gervásio stated, adding that "the main market is the United States, which buys practically 90% of all our exports." This confirms that frozen tilapia fillets are the predominant product form driving this boom, aligning with the U.S. market's strong preference for convenience and affordability.

Global Market Overview and Product Preferences:

Beyond Paraná's impressive figures, the global tilapia market is characterized by a diverse range of product forms meeting varied consumer demands across key international markets:

• United States: As the largest global consumer of tilapia, the U.S. primarily demands frozen tilapia fillets for their convenience. However, there's also significant import of fresh or chilled fillets, particularly from Latin American suppliers like Brazil, catering to preferences for fresh options. Some imports also include frozen whole tilapia and value-added products like breaded fillets.
• European Union (EU): The EU market primarily imports frozen tilapia fillets, often for ethnic food markets, "fish & chips" shops, and budget retail segments. There's also demand for whole frozen tilapia, particularly among certain ethnic minorities. Quality certifications like ASC and GlobalGAP are crucial for market access.
• Mexico: Ranking as the second-largest global importer, Mexico brings in large quantities of frozen whole tilapia and value-added products such as breaded fillets to supplement its domestic aquaculture. Tilapia is particularly popular in Mexican markets and foodservice, with demand spiking during Lent. Mexican processors also import frozen tilapia blocks or whole fish for further processing and re-export.
• West Africa (e.g., Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana): This region is a significant destination for tilapia, primarily importing inexpensive whole frozen tilapia from China to meet local demand, serving as a staple for many consumers.
• Middle East, South Korea, and Japan: These regions also represent important destinations for tilapia exports, often showing a preference for a more diverse product mix beyond just frozen fillets.

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