Brazil continues to grow while the U.S. shows no signs of recovery
Brazil remained Vietnam’s largest tilapia import market. In May 2026, exports to Brazil reached USD 8 million. During the first five months of the year, export value totaled USD 34 million, accounting for more than half of Vietnam’s total tilapia export turnover. This performance reaffirms Brazil’s pivotal role in driving the industry’s overall growth.
Meanwhile, the United States, Vietnam’s second-largest market, continued to experience a downward trend. Tilapia exports to the U.S. reached USD 4 million in May 2026, down 53% year-on-year. For the first five months, exports totaled USD 14 million, a decline of 23% compared with the same period last year. This decrease reflects ongoing challenges in the U.S. seafood market as well as intensifying competition from other suppliers.
Saudi Arabia, the Dominican Republic, and emerging markets gain momentum
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia showed mixed performance. Export value in May reached USD 332,000, down 74% year-on-year. However, cumulative exports during the first five months still amounted to USD 3 million, up 87%, indicating that import demand in this market continues to expand over the medium term.
The Dominican Republic maintained a strong growth trajectory. Exports in May reached USD 393,000, up 37% compared with the same period last year. For the first five months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2 million, a significant increase of 147%, making it one of the fastest-growing markets for Vietnamese tilapia.
Canada and Australia recorded the most impressive growth rates among Vietnam’s tilapia export destinations during the first five months of 2026. Exports to Canada surged 236%, while shipments to Australia increased 123% year-on-year. Although export volumes remain relatively modest, these results demonstrate considerable potential for expanding Vietnam’s market share in developed markets beyond its traditional destinations.
Protectionist measures in Brazil pose challenges
Despite strong export growth, Vietnam’s tilapia industry still faces significant challenges. Brazil—the sector’s largest market—is increasingly implementing protectionist measures on imported products. Several states have either introduced or proposed higher ICMS taxes on imported tilapia, while the state of Pernambuco has enacted temporary restrictions on the commercialization of imported tilapia in various forms. At the same time, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies is considering legislation that would ban tilapia imports in an effort to protect domestic producers.
As the U.S. market continues to weaken and policy risks in Brazil increase, Vietnamese tilapia exporters need to proactively diversify their markets and further develop opportunities in promising destinations such as Canada, Australia, the Middle East, and the European Union. In addition, investment in value-added products and enhanced competitiveness will be critical for sustaining the industry’s growth momentum in the coming years.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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