Brazil Keeps 32% Tariff on Moroccan Sardines Despite Rising Imports

Saturday 11 July 2026 - 15:23

The Brazilian government has decided to maintain a 32% tariff on canned sardine imports, rejecting a request to establish a nine-month tariff-free quota of 7,500 tons. This decision, announced by the executive secretariat of the Foreign Trade Chamber (Camex), comes after reviewing a request submitted by a Brazilian company looking to ease local market supply.

According to a technical note from the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce, and Services, authorities believe that current market conditions do not justify the creation of a new tariff exemption.

Limited Presence of Moroccan Sardines

In 2025, Morocco ranked as the third supplier of prepared or canned sardines in the Brazilian market. Moroccan exports reached 7.3 tons, amounting to a value of $32,807, which is only 1.9% of the volumes imported by Brazil.

The market is largely dominated by China, which supplied 344.2 tons, accounting for nearly 90% of imports, with a value of $863,594. Portugal holds the second position with 32 tons exported, generating $285,797 in revenue.

In terms of pricing, Moroccan canned sardines have an average cost of $4.5 per kilogram, higher than Chinese products priced at $2.5 per kilogram, but lower than the average price of Portuguese sardines, set at $8.9.

Brazilian authorities remind that none of these suppliers currently benefit from a trade agreement allowing a reduction in tariffs on this category of products.

Request for Exemption Rejected

The request for a temporary removal of tariffs was submitted in March 2026 by the Brazilian company Embavi. The company argued that the tariffs on canned sardines are among the highest in the world and contribute to maintaining high prices for a food considered an important source of protein for low-income households.

The company also claimed that increased competition through less taxed imports would lead to lower prices and limit market concentration.

However, authorities considered that the national market remains sufficiently supplied and that no shortage situation justified a new tariff opening.

Previous Exemption Underutilized

Brazil had previously established, between March and December 2025, a quota of 7,500 tons with zero tariffs to combat rising food prices.

However, this measure was underutilized. By the end of October 2025, the licenses granted accounted for only about 920 tons, or just 12% of the available volume. In light of this low usage, the government reinstated the 32% tariff effective January 1, 2026.

Rapid Growth in Imports

Despite the maintenance of this tariff protection, Brazilian purchases of canned sardines continue to rise rapidly.

In 2025, imports reached 383.6 tons, with a total value of $1.2 million, an increase of 167.7% in volume and 69% in value compared to the previous year. The average price, however, decreased to $3.1 per kilogram.

The trend continued in early 2026. Between January and April, Brazil imported 232 tons of sardines for $856,686, marking a spectacular increase of 1,122.3% in volumes compared to the same period in 2025. At the same time, the average price dropped by nearly half to $3.7 per kilogram.

Local Industry Deemed Capable of Meeting Demand

Brazilian authorities also relied on arguments from the domestic industry to deny the exemption.

The Brazilian Steel Packaging Association indicated that the country’s production capacity exceeds 600 million cans of sardines per year, nearly 75,000 tons, while national consumption is estimated at around 51,000 tons.

The organization also reminded that importers already have a quota of 120,000 tons of frozen sardines exempt from tariffs until June 2026.

In light of these factors, the government believes that domestic production covers most of the internal demand and that no economic necessity justifies the establishment of a new preferential regime for imported canned sardines.