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) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
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