Brazil remains the leading market in February
Brazil continued to be the largest importer, with USD 4 million, accounting for nearly 50% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value for the month. Demand in this market remained strong, particularly for frozen tilapia fillets serving domestic consumption.
In February, tilapia exports to the United States reached USD 852,000, making up 10% of total exports. Despite a 49% decline year-on-year, the U.S. remained an important market, especially for processed tilapia products.
Exports to Russia ranked third with USD 911,000, accounting for 11% of total export value and rising 114% year-on-year. Saudi Arabia followed in fourth place with USD 833,000, representing nearly 10% of total exports.
Several markets post exceptional growth in the first two months of 2026
The Dominican Republic stood out, with total imports reaching USD 940,000, up 635% compared to the same period last year, emerging as a promising destination for Vietnamese tilapia in the Caribbean region. In Malaysia, exports totaled USD 374,000, up 405% year-on-year, reflecting rising demand in Southeast Asia, particularly for frozen fillet products.The Netherlands also recorded strong growth, reaching USD 274,000, up over 220% year-on-year, and is considered a key gateway for deeper penetration into the European market. Notably, exports to the UAE reached USD 119,000, surging significantly compared to the previous year, highlighting strong potential in the Middle East market.
Broad-based growth across regional markets
By region, Vietnam’s tilapia exports in the first two months of 2026 expanded across most markets. The Middle East reached USD 2 million, skyrocketing 2,356% year-on-year, making it one of the fastest-growing regions. The EU recorded USD 1.2 million, up 63%, reflecting demand for alternatives to traditional whitefish. Meanwhile, CPTPP markets reached USD 1 million, up 59%, and ASEAN totaled USD 385,000, up 395% year-on-year.
Outlook shaped by global trade dynamics
In the first two months of the year, global seafood trade was influenced by U.S. tariff policies and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. For tilapia specifically, potential U.S. tariff reductions on certain seafood products may allow Brazilian and Chinese tilapia to regain market share in the near term. At the same time, both countries are actively expanding exports to the EU, where demand for whitefish products is expected to remain strong.
In this context, Vietnamese tilapia currently has limited competitive advantages in the EU market. In the U.S., high inventory levels from previous months may slow import demand in the short term. On the other hand, several Middle Eastern markets are showing positive growth signals for Vietnamese tilapia. However, elevated logistics costs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in the region could affect the sustainability and expansion of exports to these markets in the long run.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
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