Diverging Import Trends Across Markets
The United States remained Vietnam’s largest import market for tilapia fillets in 2025. Export turnover to the U.S. reached USD 40 million, up 499% compared to 2024. This extraordinary growth reflects strong demand from the U.S. market amid supply constraints from competing producers such as the U.S. and China, which have faced challenges related to tariffs and rising production costs.
Notably, Brazil emerged as the fastest-growing market among Vietnam’s top tilapia fillet importers. In 2025, exports of tilapia fillets to Brazil reached USD 11 million, soaring by 7,552% compared to the previous year. This breakthrough underscores the significant potential of the South American market for Vietnam’s frozen tilapia fillets, particularly in segments serving domestic consumption and food processing industries.
In contrast to the upward trend in the U.S. and Brazil, exports to Russia and Mexico declined by 29% and 38%, respectively, in 2025. This reflects greater caution among importers in these markets amid economic fluctuations, higher logistics costs, and competition from domestic and regional suppliers.
In Asia, Taiwan and Japan maintained relatively stable imports. Exports to Taiwan reached USD 1.5 million, up 123%, while exports to Japan totaled USD 312,000, up slightly by 2% compared to 2024. In Europe, Italy recorded a 54% increase, with export value reaching over USD 601,000, indicating steady demand for tilapia fillets in this market.
Exports to Saudi Arabia and Puerto Rico in 2025 either recorded new export value or strong growth compared to the previous year, reflecting the expansion of Vietnam’s tilapia fillet exports into the Middle East and other niche markets. Meanwhile, although exports to Qatar declined slightly by 11%, the country remained among the top ten largest import markets.
Outlook for 2026
With strong growth momentum in 2025, particularly in the U.S. and Brazil, tilapia fillets are emerging as a promising export product alongside pangasius. Going forward, market diversification, improved processing quality, and compliance with safety and sustainability standards will be key factors enabling Vietnam’s tilapia sector to sustain growth and expand its international market share.
Alongside opportunities for market expansion, competition in the EU market is expected to intensify in the coming year, especially from Brazil. Brazil’s tilapia export industry is accelerating its strategy to penetrate the EU market in order to offset challenges and barriers in the U.S. market. With advantages in stable product quality, large-scale farming, and the ability to meet increasingly stringent EU technical, food safety, and traceability requirements, Brazilian tilapia is considered a direct competitor to Vietnamese tilapia in the region.
This situation requires Vietnamese enterprises to further enhance processing quality, strengthen supply chain control, and comply with sustainability standards in order to maintain and expand market share in the EU and other highly regulated markets in the years ahead.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(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.
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
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn
