In 2023, EU consumes the most tilapia from Vietnam, with 2 million USD, down 34% compared to 2022. The fourth quarter of 2023 recorded the highest value of this market when it increased continuous positive growth for all 3 months, after a consecutive decline in the first 9 months of the year. Of which, the Netherlands contributes nearly half of total Vietnamese tilapia exports to the EU. In 2023, cumulative pangasius exports to the Netherlands reached more than 1 million USD, an increase of 10% compared to 2022.
Behind the EU, the US consumed nearly 1 million USD in 2023, down 71% compared to 2022. This market fluctuated erratically in 2023. In the last month of 2023, the US suddenly increased tilapia imports. Tilapia export turnover to the US in December 2023 reached more than 200 thousand USD, up 78% over the same period, while the previous month this country had almost no imports.
Frozen tilapia is a favorite product among consumers in the US. In the first 11 months of 2023, the US imported 84,822 tons of frozen tilapia fillets from around the world, an increase of 13% over the same period. China is the world's largest supplier of tilapia and the largest one for the US. Vietnamese tilapia in the US is difficult to compete with Chinese tilapia because Vietnam's average price is much higher, even though it is on a downward trend.
In addition, Vietnamese tilapia exports to some other markets also witnessed negative growth, such as Japan decreasing by 62%, Belgium decreasing by 56%, Italy decreasing by 38%, and the UK decreasing by 85%.
Tilapia is a fast-growing farmed species with increased production. Currently, tilapia products originating from China and Taiwan are dominating the global market. Although Vietnam's tilapia export turnover is still modest, there has been a positive growth trend in the past few years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the latest statistics for January 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to major market blocs recorded encouraging growth compared with the same period last year, indicating that consumption demand is gradually recovering.
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