In his opening remarks, Mr. Tran Dinh Luan, Director General of the Directorate of Fisheries and the Fisheries Surveillance Department, noted that although Vietnam’s aquaculture sector has achieved considerable production volume, its economic efficiency remains modest due to low selling prices and increasing risks of disease outbreaks. To enhance competitiveness and economic returns, it is essential to diversify both farmed species and farming methods in which Vietnam holds comparative advantages. This approach not only contributes to production restructuring but also aligns with the development orientation of the fisheries sector and the objectives set forth in the Vietnam Fisheries Development Strategy to 2030.
According to Mr. Nguyen Hoai Nam, Secretary General of VASEP, the United States considers Vietnam a country with strong potential for tilapia exports. As of 2024, the world’s top five tilapia-exporting countries and territories are Indonesia, Colombia, China, Brazil, and Taiwan (China).
The United States is currently among the world’s top five tilapia-importing markets. If the U.S. raises countervailing duties on Chinese seafood products to 245%, it is likely that China will redirect its tilapia either toward domestic consumption or other international markets. This scenario poses multiple challenges for Chinese exporters, including tariff barriers, stricter environmental regulations, and rising production costs.
Additionally, since the beginning of the year, two major tilapia-producing regions in China have mandated that processing facilities serving export markets may only source raw materials from certified farms. Farms lacking certification are prohibited from selling for export purposes. On top of U.S. countervailing duties, this new regulation further pressures China's tilapia export sector.
"Given these developments, tilapia prices are expected to decline in the short term, and Chinese enterprises will likely shift toward other markets, thereby increasing competitive pressure on alternative suppliers, including Vietnam," Mr. Nam commented. However, he emphasized that this situation also presents a significant opportunity for Vietnam to expand its tilapia export market, especially amid tightened Chinese supply.
Mr. Pham Thanh Trung, Deputy General Director of Nong Lam Vina, who has previous experience in tilapia farming and currently supplies feed to farms in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, shared that the greatest challenge facing Vietnamese tilapia farmers today is securing market access.
He urged local authorities, agricultural agencies, and processing enterprises to proactively identify and develop export outlets for tilapia farmers. He stressed the importance of establishing supply chain linkages between farms and processing plants, stating: “If policymakers fail to establish an integrated value chain between farming areas and processors, farmers will be left to sell their products individually and informally.”
In recent times, a number of pioneering enterprises have made initial investments in tilapia farming for export. Although current export volumes remain modest, these efforts have laid the foundation for market expansion and created momentum to boost domestic tilapia production.
At the seminar, participants heard presentations by representatives from the Directorate of Fisheries, VASEP, and tilapia production experts from De Heus. Topics included: the global tilapia market outlook for 2024–2025 and Vietnam’s tilapia export strategy; national policies on planning for tilapia farming and processing; current farming practices and production conditions in Vietnam, along with proposed solutions; as well as reports on local aquaculture development and the potential and strategic direction for tilapia farming.
The seminar provided stakeholders with a comprehensive and practical understanding of the current state of tilapia production and export, paving the way for concrete solutions to promote tilapia farming and export activities. These efforts are expected to contribute to species diversification, increase aquaculture production, and enhance export performance.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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