Vietnamese seafood shines at Seafood Show Latin America

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Brazil, from October 21-23, 2025, the 4th Seafood Show Latin America took place at the Distrito Anhembi Exhibition Center in São Paulo. The event, Latin America’s largest seafood trade fair, attracted over 4,000 industry professionals and more than 100 brands across 7,500m² of exhibition space.

Vietnam’s participation drew significant attention, showcasing the country’s processing strength and export potential. Delegates included leading companies such as Vinh Hoan, I.D.I, and GODACO, featuring high-quality pangasius, shrimp, and mollusk products that meet international standards. Vietnamese booths impressed visitors with modern packaging, deep-processed items, and a distinct “Made in Vietnam” identity.

According to Vinh Hoan, Brazil is now the world’s third-largest importer of pangasius, after China and the United States. Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil in 2025 increased by 35% year-on-year, making Vietnam's key market accounting for 65% of volume and 75% of value of all pangasius exports to Latin America.

Vietnamese enterprises are also shifting from raw exports to value-added processing, focusing on MAPA-certified products for mid- and high-end consumers. “We’re promoting sustainable, traceable, and eco-friendly products to strengthen Vietnam’s seafood brand in Brazil,” a Vinh Hoan representative said.

Expanding prospects in the 650-million-strong Latin American market

According to statistics from the FAO statistics show that Latin America’s per capita seafood consumption averages 10.5kg/year, projected to reach 15kg by 2030. Rising demand for sustainable protein offers great opportunities for Vietnamese seafood, especially pangasius, which competes favorably with tilapia thanks to its quality and competitive pricing.

Participating in Brazil’s largest trade hub enables Vietnamese firms to connect directly with major distributors, supermarkets, and restaurant chains, while gaining valuable insights into local consumer preferences from taste to environmentally friendly packaging trends.

During the exhibition, the Vietnam Trade Office in Brazil attended a meeting with the Brazilian Association for Fish and Seafood Promotion (ABRAPES), introducing Vietnam’s seafood capacity to over 200 member companies involved in import, distribution, and retail.

A highlight of the event was the announcement that Vietnamese tilapia fillet products have officially returned to the Brazilian market after a temporary suspension was lifted in April 2025. The first shipments will arrive in January 2026, marking Vietnam’s strong comeback.

Brazilian importers also expressed interest in opening the market for Vietnamese black tiger shrimp, with both governments advancing discussions on quarantine and licensing procedures, creating a new growth avenue for Vietnam’s USD 3.4 billion shrimp industry.

Vietnam’s Commercial Counselor in Brazil, Pham Hong Trang, affirmed that Vietnam’s presence at Seafood Show Latin America 2025 not only promoted trade but also enhanced the nation’s brand visibility.

“Vietnamese seafood is on the right track diversifying markets, reducing dependence on traditional destinations, and targeting high-potential regions. The Latin American market, particularly Brazil, will be a key stepping stone for sustainable, high-value exports,” Trang stated.

After the exhibition, Vietnamese firms plan to sustain post-event engagement, maintain partner connections, and explore collaboration in research, investment, and processing technology.

The growing partnership between Vietnam and Brazil was also underscored by the October 26 meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Lula da Silva on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit. President Lula affirmed Brazil’s strong commitment to deepening the Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and announced that Brazil is expediting procedures to officially recognize Vietnam’s market economy status, a move expected to further boost the bilateral trade toward USD 15 billion by 2030.