Vietnamese Tilapia Continues to Expand Strongly Across Markets
By market, Brazil remained the largest destination, with export value reaching USD 7 million, accounting for 49% of total exports in March. The United States ranked second with USD 4 million, representing 28%, up 16% year-on-year. Together, these two markets accounted for 77% of total exports, indicating a high level of dependence on key markets.
Meanwhile, several markets posted remarkable growth. Exports to Saudi Arabia reached USD 840 thousand, up 563%, while the Dominican Republic recorded USD 451 thousand, up 134%. In Asia, Japan reached USD 418 thousand, up 110%, and Malaysia reached USD 398 thousand, up 406%, showing rapidly rising demand for tilapia products.
Other markets such as Belgium recorded USD 301 thousand, up 15%, while South Korea reached USD 132 thousand, down 31%. Emerging markets like Papua New Guinea and Colombia recorded export values of USD 101 thousand and USD 99 thousand, respectively.
By market bloc, exports to CPTPP countries in March 2026 reached USD 1 million, accounting for 7% of total exports, up 29% year-on-year. Exports to the Middle East reached USD 878 thousand, accounting for 6%, up sharply by 460%, while ASEAN reached USD 435 thousand, accounting for 3%, up 433%. In contrast, exports to the European Union reached USD 516 thousand, accounting for 4%, down 14%.
Growth Driven by Key Markets
Overall, tilapia exports in March 2026 recorded strong growth, with the main drivers being Brazil and the United States, which together accounted for 77% of total export value. Growth in these two markets played a decisive role in the sector’s overall performance. Meanwhile, other markets such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Japan saw impressive growth rates—many exceeding 100%—but their relatively small scale limited their overall contribution.
Although still modest in share, these emerging markets are considered to have strong potential in the long-term development strategy, helping Vietnam’s tilapia sector gradually reduce its dependence on a few major markets and enhance export sustainability. However, in the short term, rapid expansion into these markets remains constrained by production capacity and export capabilities. Currently, many Vietnamese enterprises continue to focus on expanding their presence in the U.S.—a large and stable market. In the long run, however, market diversification will be essential to ensure sustainable growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
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