Norway, Brazil reach agreement on aquaculture exports

NORWAY – Norway’s Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) is finalising an agreement with Brazilian authorities on the export conditions for aquaculture products. 

Beginning 15 September, Norway will start issuing health certificates for fish and seafood products destined for Brazil.

These certificates will cover a wide range of aquaculture products, including fillets, whole gutted fish, and various preserved items, such as smoked fish. 

However, aquaculture facilities dealing with confirmed or suspected outbreaks of Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA) or Pancreatic Disease (PD) will not be permitted to export to Brazil, according to the guidelines set by Mattilsynet.

The process for establishing these export conditions started in 2021. 

Norway’s seafood industry is a key sector, supported by the country’s long coastline. 

In 2021, the country exported 3.1 million tonnes of seafood. 

Salmon led the exports, followed by cod. That same year, salmon production saw a 12% increase in harvest volumes as of October, compared to the previous year.

Brazil, with a strong demand for seafood, is also seeing growth in its fish and seafood market.

In 2024, revenue from this market is expected to reach US$12.57 billion, with an annual growth rate of 6.27% projected from 2024 to 2029. 

Brazil, the largest fish importer in Latin America, recorded seafood imports valued at US$1.4 billion in 2018, while its exports for the same year stood at US$275 million.

Despite being a major importer, Brazil also has a growing domestic aquaculture industry. 

As the second-largest aquaculture producer in Latin America, Brazil increased its output from 172,500 tonnes in 2000 to around 600,280 tonnes in 2019. 

More than 80% of this production comes from freshwater species like tilapia, carp, and native Amazonian fish, while 14% is attributed to mariculture, primarily focused on whiteleg shrimp.

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