Tilapia exports to Asia: Significant room remains for value-added products

Saudi Arabia leads tilapia imports in Asia

Saudi Arabia was Vietnam’s largest tilapia import market in Asia during the first four months of 2026, with export turnover reaching USD 3 million. The market accounted for 6% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value and posted an impressive increase of 542% compared to the same period in 2025.

In terms of product composition, Saudi Arabia primarily imported frozen whole tilapia, which accounted for 89% of export value. The remaining 11% consisted of frozen tilapia fillets.

Japan mainly imports frozen fillets

Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Japan reached USD 1 million during the first four months of 2026, representing 2% of total tilapia exports. Compared with the same period in 2025, exports to Japan increased by 92%.

Japan’s import structure was dominated by frozen tilapia products under HS Chapter 03. Frozen fillets accounted for 89% of export value, while other HS 03 products represented 11%, mainly frozen whole fish and a small volume of fresh and chilled products. Value-added products accounted for only a negligible share.

Malaysia and South Korea focus on frozen whole fish

Malaysia recorded import value of USD 1 million, accounting for 2% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports during the first four months of the year and increasing by 144% year-on-year.

Unlike Japan, Malaysia primarily imported frozen whole tilapia, which represented 68% of export value. Frozen fillets accounted for the remaining 32%.

Vietnam’s tilapia exports to South Korea reached approximately USD 628,000 during the first four months of 2026, accounting for 1.3% of total export value and declining by 35% compared with the same period last year.

In terms of product composition, South Korea imported exclusively frozen whole tilapia. No imports of frozen tilapia fillets or value-added tilapia products were recorded during the period.

UAE records small export value but exceptional growth

Exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reached USD 119,000, accounting for 0.2% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. According to Vietnam Customs data, export value increased by an extraordinary 248,583% compared with the same period in 2025.

The product structure in the UAE was similar to that of South Korea, with frozen whole fish under HS Chapter 03 accounting for 100% of export value.

Middle East and ASEAN markets drive regional growth

By regional grouping, tilapia exports to the Middle East exceeded USD 3 million during the first four months of 2026, accounting for 6.5% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value and increasing by 395% year-on-year. Saudi Arabia contributed the majority of the region’s import value.

ASEAN markets generated USD 1 million in export turnover, accounting for 2.2% of total tilapia exports and recording growth of 139%.

Overall, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asia during the first four months of 2026 displayed significant differences in both market performance and product composition. Japan and Taiwan mainly imported frozen fillets, while Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the UAE focused more heavily on frozen whole fish.

At present, value-added tilapia products still account for only a small share of Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets. This is partly because Vietnam’s tilapia industry remains in a development phase, with many companies still concentrating on traditional product lines while gradually investing in value-added segments.

As demand for convenient whitefish products continues to grow across the region, Vietnamese tilapia still has substantial opportunities to expand market share and increase export value in Asian markets through the development of higher-value processed products.