Breakthrough growth in 2025
In 2025, total tilapia export turnover reached USD 99 million, up 141% compared to the previous year. This momentum has continued into 2026, with exports reaching USD 23 million in just the first two months—an increase of 242% year-on-year.
One key driver of this growth is that Vietnamese companies have effectively capitalized on the period when the United States imposed high tariffs on tilapia from China and Brazil, thereby expanding their presence and market share in the U.S. The rapid growth rate indicates that tilapia is gradually strengthening its position within Vietnam’s seafood export structure, particularly as demand for competitively priced whitefish continues to rise.
Development foundation not yet aligned with growth
However, the current market structure still reveals significant imbalances. Vietnam’s tilapia exports are heavily dependent on two main markets—the United States and Brazil—which together accounted for nearly 70% of total exports in the first months of 2026. This dependence makes the sector vulnerable to fluctuations in trade policies, consumer demand, and competition from other exporting countries.
At the same time, the tilapia supply chain remains underdeveloped. Many stages—from seed production and farming to processing and export—lack strong integration, leading to inefficiencies. In particular, the shortage of internationally certified processing facilities limits value addition, while high logistics costs continue to affect the competitiveness of Vietnamese products in global markets.
Another challenge is the limited level of production autonomy. Seed supply remains unstable, while weather conditions—especially in northern regions—are highly variable, complicating farming activities and increasing risks for producers.
In this context, despite expanding market opportunities, Vietnam’s tilapia sector needs to strengthen its development foundation. Vietnamese enterprises require well-structured, long-term strategies to build a solid base for tilapia products.
Diversifying export markets, improving supply chain integration, enhancing processing capacity, and securing stable seed supply will be key factors in sustaining growth and mitigating risks. At the same time, tilapia products must move toward meeting sustainability standards, improving traceability, and aligning with green consumption trends in global markets. These efforts will help increase product value and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of Vietnamese tilapia. Only by addressing these bottlenecks can the sector transition from rapid growth to sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The FTA would widen access to markets with strong demand for premium food products in line with the country’s strategy of shifting exports towards increasing added value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of July 13th, Mr. Ho Quoc Dung, Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Deputy Prime Minister, along with his delegation, visited and worked with businesses in An Giang province to promptly resolve obstacles and promote production and business activities.
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