Despite this decline, the United States remains an important market for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, accounting for more than 20% of total export value during the first seven months of the year. Notably, frozen tilapia fillets accounted for approximately 84% of Vietnam’s export product mix to the US, indicating that this remains the market’s preferred product line and has the potential to sustain demand over the longer term.
However, the outlook for the final months of the year remains challenging. The US market currently has relatively ample inventories, while importers are mainly purchasing to meet immediate needs rather than building up large stocks. This cautious approach is limiting new orders while putting pressure on prices and suppliers’ profit margins.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese tilapia faces competition from suppliers in China, Indonesia and Brazil. China continues to maintain relatively stable supply and remains a notable competitor in the US market. However, China’s tilapia industry is facing pressure from raw material shortages and rising production costs. Signs of higher raw material prices in August could lead to further price adjustments for Chinese tilapia, but not enough to give Vietnam a clear competitive advantage.
In addition, uncertainty surrounding tariff policies, including the additional 12.5% tariff under Section 301 on imported tilapia, continues to influence purchasing decisions among US businesses. While the policy could create some competitive space for alternative suppliers, high inventories and cautious importer sentiment mean that this opportunity has yet to translate into immediate export growth for Vietnam.
From now through the end of the year, US importers are likely to maintain a cautious purchasing strategy, waiting for inventories to decline and for greater clarity on tariff developments. With supply sources becoming increasingly diversified, Vietnamese tilapia will find it difficult to compete on price alone.
Vietnamese exporters should therefore focus less on a rapid recovery in the US market and more on improving product quality, securing stable raw material supplies, meeting international certification requirements and developing value-added products. At the same time, expanding into other markets would help reduce dependence on the US and create greater room for more sustainable growth.
The US remains a large and high-potential market, but growth driven by simply expanding volumes has become increasingly difficult. For Vietnamese tilapia, competitive advantages in the coming period will depend increasingly on quality, consistency and the ability to meet the market’s increasingly demanding requirements.
(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
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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