China dominates the industry but faces growing pressure to diversify markets
China remains the dominant force in the global tilapia industry. The country’s total tilapia supply reached approximately 2.1 million metric tons in 2025. Around 60% of production was exported, equivalent to about 1.1 million metric tons, and exports are expected to increase to 1.15 million metric tons in 2026.
In 2025, Chinese tilapia exports to the United States declined due to reciprocal tariffs and additional duties imposed on Chinese products. This created a market gap that Vietnam successfully leveraged to expand its presence in the US market. Although lower tariff rates in 2026 have facilitated the return of Chinese tilapia to the US, China is gradually shifting away from dependence on a single market toward a broader diversification strategy. Chinese tilapia exporters are actively expanding sales within the RCEP bloc while also viewing the European Union as a promising growth destination.
Brazil: Vietnam’s largest customer and a potential competitor
Brazil is the largest tilapia producer in the Americas, with production reaching approximately 707,500 metric tons in 2025, up nearly 7% from the previous year. While Brazil is currently Vietnam’s largest tilapia export market, accounting for more than 50% of total export value, it is also expanding its domestic production capacity.
The clearest sign of protectionism is Bill 6331/25, which has been approved by the Agriculture Committee of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies. The bill proposes banning tilapia imports to protect domestic producers. It is currently under review by additional committees before being submitted for a full congressional vote.
Egypt focuses on Middle Eastern export markets
Egypt is one of the world’s three largest tilapia producers, with output reaching 1.7 million metric tons in 2024, accounting for 99% of total production in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
According to the Egyptian Food Export Council (FEC), Egypt exported 17,000 metric tons of fresh and chilled tilapia in 2024, valued at USD 9.4 million. The country ranked second globally in this product segment, holding a 20% share of the world market.
The United Arab Emirates is Egypt’s largest export destination, accounting for 61% of export value, followed by Kuwait, Qatar, Tunisia, and Libya. This indicates that Egypt is primarily focused on the Middle East and North Africa and does not directly compete with Vietnam in its traditional export markets. However, if Vietnam seeks to expand its presence in the Middle East, Egypt will be a competitor to watch closely.
As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to grow, competition in the international tilapia market is expected to intensify. Major producers are simultaneously expanding production capacity and strengthening their positions in key markets, creating both challenges and opportunities for Vietnam’s rapidly developing tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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