October 15, 2012

Brazil's fish consumption on the rise

Brazil's fish consumption has witnessed a significant rise but despite the potential for aquaculture, Brazil still mainly relies on cheap fish imports from China and Vietnam.

The share of imports in domestic consumption increased from 25.9% to 34.2%, according to the Ministry of Fisheries.

Fish consumption dropped in the 1990's due to high prices and low domestic production. However, the change came in 2005 when average incomes across the country rose and China and Vietnam offered large volumes of fish at a cheap price.

Between 2007 and 2011, shipments from China to Brazil rose from 3000 to 79,700 tonnes, according to the Foreign Trade Secretariat (Secex).

Aquaculture in Brazil focuses on four fish: tilapia, carp, shrimp and tambaqui (Amazonian fish). Together, they accounted for 373,600 tonnws, or 78% of national output in 2010.