Norwegian seafood exports to Brazil

Brazil is an important market for Norwegian clipfish, and the Norwegian Seafood Council is locally represented in Rio de Janeiro by our envoy Randi Bolstad and our market advisor Karina Exner Ribeiro Mendes.

Brazil has a relatively low seafood consumption of 8 kg per capita per year. In comparison, meat consumption is more than ten times higher per person. However, the value of Brazilian seafood imports reached NOK 17 billion in 2024.

The majority of imports come from Chile, with Chilean salmon accounting for over NOK 10 billion. Imports of catfish place Vietnam in second position, while Norway ranks third, with imports totaling NOK 1.2 billion—mainly consisting of clipfish.

Norwegian Clipfish Exports to Brazil

The total market for conventional products in Brazil is estimated at 100,000 tonnes in 2024, with Norway holding a market share of 54 percent. Competing countries include China, Portugal, and Russia. Norway holds up to 100 percent market share for clipfish made from cod, tusk, saithe, and ling.

The term “Bacalhau da Noruega” is well established in Brazil and refers to all conventional fish. Work is ongoing to further develop this as an umbrella brand for the marketing of Norwegian conventional products in Brazil. In light of lower cod quotas, the goal is to maintain cod’s position while increasing the consumption of saithe in the market.

There are also challenges related to market access, which will be prioritized going forward through good communication with Brazilian authorities.

Norwegian seafood exports are built on a model that emphasizes strict regulation, sustainability, and quality. This is something that origin labeling and marketing aim to promote, and will be key in positioning Norwegian clipfish as a continued strong choice for Brazilian consumers.

Market Plans for Brazil