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Tilapia Prices Gain in April but Supply Glut Caps Further Growth (R$ Converted to USD)

BRAZIL
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 05:00 (GMT + 9)

Brazilian tilapia market sees modest price increases across regions during Lent, yet abundant supply from heavier fish limits significant gains; export volumes and revenue dip month-on-month but remain strong year-over-year.

Prices for both live and iced tilapia experienced an upward trend across nearly all regions monitored by Cepea (Center for Advanced Studies in Applied Economics) in April. This appreciation was anticipated by the sector, traditionally driven by increased demand during the Lent period. However, market analysts at the Research Center noted that the extent of the price increase was ultimately tempered by a higher-than-expected supply of larger-sized fish.

Cepea's survey data reveals that in the key Great Lakes region (northwest of São Paulo state and bordering Mato Grosso do Sul), the average tilapia price reached R$8.06 per kilogram in April, equivalent to approximately USD 1.61/kg (using an approximate exchange rate for May 13, 2025). This marks a modest increase of 3.4% compared to March, indicating a positive price movement, albeit one constrained by the availability of heavier fish in the market.

CEPEA TILAPIA PRICE:

Tilapia Export Performance:

On the international trade front, April witnessed a decline in both the volume and revenue generated from Brazilian tilapia exports when compared to the preceding month.

According to data from Secex (Secretariat of Foreign Trade), total tilapia exports reached 1,533 tons in April, representing a slight monthly decrease of 1.9%. However, when viewed on a year-over-year basis, April's export volume demonstrated a substantial surge of 82.8% compared to the same period in 2024.

Similarly, the total revenue from tilapia exports in April amounted to US$5.8 million. This figure reflects a monthly drop of 17.6% but signifies a significant annual increase of 49.4% compared to April 2024.

Analysis and Outlook:

The April market dynamics illustrate a scenario where seasonal demand associated with Lent provided upward pressure on tilapia prices. However, the continued presence of heavier fish in the supply chain effectively limited more significant price gains. The export figures present a mixed picture, with a short-term monthly dip contrasting with robust year-over-year growth in both volume and revenue, suggesting a strong underlying demand for Brazilian tilapia in international markets despite monthly fluctuations.

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