Promoting domestic tilapia farming to enhance export value

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.