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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On June 16, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau Province announced that the locality has established a farming area code for nearly 30,400 hectares of mud crab aquaculture and granted export facility codes to five enterprises eligible to export mud crab officially to markets such as China, Cambodia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The United States remains one of the largest export markets for Vietnamese pangasius. In the first four months of 2026, pangasius exports to the US reached USD 106 million, up 4% compared to the same period in 2025. In April 2026 alone, export value totaled USD 38 million, marking a 20% year-on-year increase and the first positive growth recorded after an extended period of decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
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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