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FISH FARMING
US drops requirement for International Health Certificates on Brazilian fish
Brazil is the second largest fish exporter to the United States; tilapia fillet is its main export - Credit: Divulgação
The United States has dropped its requirement for International Health Certificates (IHCs) on Brazilian fish imports. This change simplifies Brazil's export process, making it more efficient and boosting its competitiveness in the US market.
The announcement was made by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock [Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária/Mapa], through the secretariats of Agricultural Defense and Trade (SDA) and International Relations (SCRI), in collaboration with PeixeBR and other sector leaders. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Carlos Fávaro highlighted that this development signals international confidence in Brazil’s health control system.
“This streamlining of the export process doesn’t mean a reduction in oversight. On the contrary, Brazilian exporters will still adhere to US Food and Drug Administration regulations, which will make the process simpler and enhance the sector’s competitiveness. This is President Lula’s administration creating more jobs and opportunities,” he said.
EXPORTS — Brazil is the second largest exporter of fish to the US; tilapia fillet is its main export. According to PeixeBr's Foreign Trade Information on Fish Farming, Brazilian fish farming exports increased by 72% in the 2nd quarter of 2024.
The accumulated total for the semester was USD 23.7 million, representing 96% of exports for the entire year of 2023. Tilapia, the main product, represented 92% of total exports; 87% of Brazilian exports went to the United States.
Deputy Secretary of Agricultural Defense Allan Alvarenga highlighted the agility in export processes. "Not having to issue the IHCs to the US not only speeds up the export process, but also reduces the pressure on our work, since there are departments that issue up to eight certificates per day for one industry alone — and, when there are more than one, this number doubles. Speeding up this process was possible through the efforts of the SDA in partnership with the SCRI, following Minister Fávaro's guidelines to simplify the processes," he explained.