Tilapia/CEPEA: Strong Demand and Restricted Supply Drive Up Prices

According to the CEPEA research center at the University of São Paulo, tilapia prices remained firm across all monitored regions in February 2026. This was primarily due to robust market demand during Lent and a relatively restricted supply of fish. Despite an increase in export volume, revenue did not rise proportionally due to the depreciation of the US dollar against the Brazilian Real.

The CEPEA research center at the University of São Paulo reported that tilapia prices remained firm across all monitored regions in February 2026. This stability was primarily driven by a combination of robust market demand, characteristic of the Lenten period, and a relatively restricted supply of fish. In this context, the purchasing power of producers, when compared to the main inputs used in their operations, remained elevated. The report also indicated that exports of tilapia and its secondary products continued to rise in February. However, despite this increase, the total export volume remained below that recorded during the same period last year. Furthermore, export revenue did not see a corresponding increase, a situation attributed to the depreciation of the US dollar against the Brazilian Real.