Tilapia Fish. (Source: VASEP)
The arrival of Vietnam’s first tilapia export shipment in Brazil is not merely a trade milestone but a testament to the joint efforts in fostering economic and trade cooperation between the two nations. This development comes on the heels of their upgraded strategic partnership and Brazil’s recognition of Vietnam as a market economy.
These remarks were made by Vietnam’s Ambassador to Brazil, Bùi Văn Nghị, during an interview with reporters. The occasion marked the departure of the first container of tilapia, weighing 24 tons, from Ho Chi Minh City on November 6th, destined for Brazil via JBS, Brazil’s largest food corporation.
Ambassador Bùi Văn Nghị emphasized that this achievement is a direct result of successful business networking, market expansion, and the affirmation of Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic product quality in the Brazilian market, and by extension, Latin America.
This shipment is part of a larger order of 32 containers, totaling 700 tons of tilapia, placed by JBS. The fish will be distributed through Brazilian supermarkets, the HORECA sector, and JBS’s product showcase rooms.
The container is scheduled to arrive at the Port of Santos, Brazil, on December 17th. JBS, with its 280,000 employees and operations in 150 plants across multiple countries, leads the global market in beef and poultry. The company is also investing in two beef processing plants in Vietnam, valued at $150 million.
According to Ambassador Bùi Văn Nghị, this event signifies a new phase in the economic and trade collaboration between Vietnam and Brazil. It fulfills the commitment made by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Brazilian President Lula da Silva during their high-level talks on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro in July 2025. Both leaders agreed to reciprocally open their agricultural markets, with Vietnam welcoming Brazilian beef and Brazil accepting Vietnamese tilapia, catfish, and basa.
Ambassador Bùi Văn Nghị further stated that the Vietnamese Embassy in Brazil will continue to support businesses and local authorities from both countries, facilitating promotion, networking, and problem-solving to enhance the penetration of Vietnamese products into the Brazilian and South American markets.
Marcio Rodrigues, JBS’s Executive Director for Market Access, highlighted that this event underscores the strengthening partnership between JBS and Vietnam, evidenced by various initiatives such as investments in Vietnam, job creation, and increased imports of Vietnamese products.
Currently, both countries are actively negotiating a trade agreement between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), with Brazil holding the bloc’s rotating presidency in 2025. Efforts are also being made to enhance connections between businesses, associations, and relevant ministries to facilitate bilateral trade growth, market diversification, balanced interests, and sustainable development.
