Monthly trajectories illustrate a clear and deepening contraction. January was a rare outlier, surging more than twofold year-over-year to $3 million, largely driven by a low base effect. Exports nearly halved in February before recovering slightly in March, rising 16% to a record $4 million for the first eight months. From April onward, exports performance experienced a continuous and severe decline: dropping by over 40% in April, nearly 60% in June, and plummeting by 70% in both July and August. The main reason was the high comparison base in 2025, when monthly exports in the middle of the year reached $6-8 million, compared with only around $2-4 million this year.
In 2025, tilapia exports to the U.S surged, supported by supply gaps and tariff advantages. The U.S initially announced a 46% reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese goods, which was subsequently revised downward to 20% effective August 2025. Concurrently, Chinese tilapia faced multiple additional tariffs totaling around 45%, while Brazilian tilapia faced additional duties of around 50%. Capitalizing on this tariff gap, Vietnamese enterprises significantly expanded their market share, generating over $53 million in export turnover - equivalent to nearly 8% of total U.S tilapia import value. Entering 2026, the macroeconomic landscape has shifted unfavorably. On the one hand, frozen seafood inventories in the U.S reached elevated levels in 2025 and residual stock within the distribution system continues to foster cautious procurement behavior among importers. On the other hand, tariffs levied on Chinese tilapia have been meaningfully reduced from their previous peak, currently standing at around 37.5% for frozen fillets. This has narrowed the tariff advantage previously enjoyed by Vietnamese products. In terms of market size, the U.S imported nearly 185,000 tons of tilapia in 2025, valued at approximately $690 million. While import volumes remained virtually flat, total value contracted by roughly 7%, reflecting intensifying downward price pressures and a consumer pivot toward more cost-effective product alternatives. Frozen fillets remained the leading product category, increasing by nearly 10%, while whole frozen tilapia declined by more than 11%. The average import price was around $3.7 per kg. Against this backdrop, China remains the biggest competitor to Vietnamese tilapia in the U.S market, while Indonesia and Brazil also compete in certain segments. Given the shrinking tariff advantages and incomplete inventory clearance in the U.S, Vietnam's tilapia exports are anticipated to face persistent headwinds throughout the latter months of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Lithuania surpassed $14 million, up 8% year on year. While the increase remains modest, it is notable given the continued pressure on Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU as a whole. More importantly, export turnover to Lithuania has shown a clearer recovery in recent months, making the market a destination worth monitoring for Vietnamese businesses in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports exceeded $527 million in the first eight months of 2026, marking a 15% year-on-year increase. This growth is particularly notable given the strong baseline established in 2025, when export turnover for the same period reached $458 million, a 13% rise from 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius is gaining traction in Japan, where competitive prices and reliable supplies have helped the fish enter professional distribution channels and a major sushi chain.
(vasep.com.vn) A circular economy does not create a “new type of shrimp” or a new certification. Its value lies in helping the shrimp value chain use resources more efficiently, stabilize production, generate additional value from by-products and build the data and evidence needed to meet increasingly stringent market requirements. This was the perspective shared by VASEP at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Forum on Promoting a Circular Economy in the Shrimp Industry in the Mekong Delta, held in Can Tho on September 21.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP markets reached $264 million in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year-on-year and accounting for 17% of the nation’s total pangasius export turnover. In August alone, export value reached $34 million, inching up 3%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Golden pompano is being selected as a high-value species for the development of high-tech marine aquaculture in Lam Dong Province. In 2026, the provincial Agricultural Extension Center launched a golden pompano farming model using circular HDPE cages in Lien Huong Commune, opening opportunities to apply technology to marine farming at a scale suited to local coastal conditions.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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