Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture Approves Tilapia Imports from Vietnam After Sanitary Reassessment

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) has authorized the import of farmed tilapia from Vietnam into Brazil. The decision was published in the Official Gazette of the Union on April 23, 2025, reversing the temporary suspension announced earlier in February this year.

The previous embargo had been implemented to reassess the risks of introducing Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) into Brazil. According to Mapa, the import was cleared after a review of technical information, with no objections raised by the Secretariat of Trade and International Relations or the Secretariat of Agricultural Defense.

The initial suspension had been triggered by a health alert issued by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) regarding TiLV outbreaks in several Asian countries, including Vietnam. During the suspension, Mapa maintained dialogue with Vietnamese authorities and requested updated data on the sanitary status of tilapia production in the country.

Tilapia Imports Raise Concerns Among Brazilian Fisheries Sector

Fisheries sector organizations, such as the Brazilian Association of Fish Industries (Abipesca) and the Brazilian Association of Fish Farming (Peixe BR), have voiced concern over the resumption of imports. These associations warned about the risk of the virus entering Brazil and stated that the decision endangers the national aquaculture industry.

Peixe BR classified the approval as “reckless,” highlighting that Vietnam has a history of emerging disease outbreaks and farming practices that differ from those required in Brazil. The organizations also pointed out that Brazilian tilapia production follows strict sanitary standards and that the import decision could negatively impact the competitiveness of Brazilian producers.

Vietnam is one of the world’s leading exporters of seafood, especially tilapia and pangasius. It uses large-scale production methods with lower costs than those practiced in Brazil.

The Brazilian government’s decision comes amid trade negotiations that included opening the Vietnamese market to Brazilian beef in exchange for Brazil allowing Vietnamese tilapia imports.

Biosecurity Analyses Reinforce Sanitary Protection

Biosecurity assessments play a critical role in evaluating the risks of importing animal-origin products like tilapia. These analyses involve identifying potential pathogenic agents, assessing the sanitary conditions of production in exporting countries, and monitoring the control measures implemented.

In the case of Vietnamese tilapia, the main concern among Brazilian producers is the potential introduction of Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), an emerging disease that could severely impact national production. Implementing strict biosecurity protocols is considered strategic to protect Brazilian stocks and ensure food safety.

The authorization to import Vietnamese tilapia comes at a time of expanding trade negotiations between the two countries but highlights the need for strict adherence to sanitary protocols. For the Brazilian aquaculture sector, the decision demands continuous vigilance and the rigorous application of biosecurity measures to safeguard livestock health and consumer safety. Industry organizations closely monitor developments and await further guidance from the Ministry of Agriculture regarding inspection and sanitary control procedures for imported products.

Source: O Livre

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