Vietnam’s tilapia exports to other markets have shown a downward trend in the past 5 years. In 2023, Vietnam's tilapia exports reached over 6 million USD, down 42% compared to 2022 and down 70% compared to 2019.
The United States has been the largest consumer of Vietnamese tilapia for the past 4 years since 2019. However, in 2023, tilapia exports to the US fell sharply and reached only nearly 1 million USD, down 71% compared to 2022 and down 75% compared to 2019. In the past 5 years, the export value of tilapia to the US recorded the highest value of over 7 million USD in 2021, an increase of 2.5 times compared to 2020.
Besides the US, other countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand are the largest importers of tilapia from Vietnam. In 2023, tilapia exports reached over 6 million USD. The EU was the largest consumer market, with 2 million USD, the Netherlands accounted for nearly half of total Vietnamese tilapia exports to the EU. Following was the US.
Brazil recently announced a ban on imports of tilapia products from Vietnam due to concerns about a virus. However, the export value of Vietnamese tilapia to Brazil is not much. According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, tilapia exports to Brazil in the past 5 years have been almost non-existent. Brazil mainly imports basa fish from Vietnam. Up to 90% of the seafood that this country buys from Vietnam is basa fish. Therefore, the impact of Brazil's decision to ban imports of Vietnamese tilapia does not affect Vietnamese businesses too much. However, this can be seen as an initial barrier for Vietnamese tilapia products, and could lead to other seafood products in the Brazilian market.
After the ban on importing tilapia to this South American country, businesses can switch markets. Frozen tilapia is a popular product with American consumers. However, Vietnamese tilapia in the US finds it difficult to compete with Chinese tilapia, as the average price in Vietnam is much higher despite the downward trend. China is the world's largest supplier of tilapia and also the largest supplier to the US.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
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