Brazil has temporarily stopped importing Vietnamese tilapia as of February 14, pending the results of screenings for the risk of infection with tilapia lake virus (TiLV). The halt was officially communicated by the Secretariat of Animal and Plant Health and Inspection under Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply. The suspension will remain in effect until a conclusion is reached on the risk assessment of TiLV in Vietnamese tilapia.
TiLV is a highly contagious virus that has significantly impacted both wild and farmed tilapia populations. It was first reported in Israel in 2014, where it caused mortality levels of over 80% in red tilapia and has since been identified in various countries worldwide.
As a result of Brazil's decision, many Vietnamese exporters have ceased exporting tilapia to Brazil. Vietnamese processors are advised to comply strictly with the regulations of the importing country.
Frozen tilapia is popular in the American market, with China being the largest global supplier and the primary provider to the U.S. The Vietnamese tilapia faces competition challenges in the U.S. market, as it is generally priced higher than Chinese tilapia.
This suspension may impact Vietnamese seafood exporters. In response, exporters like Thai Anh Tuan are considering shifting to other markets such as Japan, Belgium, Italy, the UK, and others.
Vietnam's tilapia exports totaled over US$6 million last year, with the EU being the primary market, contributing $2 million in turnover. The Netherlands is the leading importer of Vietnamese tilapia, followed by the U.S.