According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam is gradually becoming an important supplier of tilapia in the global supply chain. Effectively taking advantage of market fluctuations, expanding farming areas, and improving product quality have helped Vietnamese tilapia gain recognition on the world seafood map, especially amid rising demand.
Vietnamese tilapia products are now present in many regions, including the US, the EU, South Korea, the Middle East, ASEAN, and Japan. Among them, the US is the key market, accounting for a large share of total export value thanks to stable demand and well-defined standards, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to elevate product value.
According to VASEP experts, the growth in global tilapia output, along with a consumer trend favoring environmentally friendly products, is opening opportunities for Vietnam to build a tilapia brand with its own identity. Beyond filling short-term supply gaps, Vietnam can fully aim to become a strategic, sustainable, and high-value supplier in the long run.
The advantages of Vietnamese tilapia come from improved farming techniques, self-reliant broodstock production, adherence to international quality standards, and low farming costs that enhance competitiveness. In addition, stable production and consistent delivery capability are factors that earn domestic enterprises high recognition from international partners.
Tilapia meat – Nutrition comparable to salmon
Among freshwater fish species, tilapia is considered a rich and healthy source of protein. According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), 100 grams of tilapia contains up to 26 grams of protein and only 128 calories. This protein content is even higher than that of many saltwater fish, including salmon (20 grams per 100 grams of fish). This is why tilapia is increasingly favored in weight-loss, muscle-building, and healthy-eating diets.
The fish is also very low in fat—only around 3 grams, primarily monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats—types proven to benefit heart health by helping control cholesterol and stabilize blood pressure.
Nutrition experts note that this freshwater fish contains high-quality protein. Tilapia protein is easy to digest and suitable for all age groups, from children and the elderly to athletes.
A major advantage of tilapia is its low fat and cholesterol content, which helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood lipids. Although it is not as rich in omega-3 as salmon, tilapia still provides a moderate amount of omega-3 and omega-6, supporting brain function and reducing inflammation.
Tilapia is also rich in important vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, niacin, potassium, phosphorus, and selenium—essential nutrients for the immune system, bones and joints, and metabolic processes. With its white flesh, few pin bones, and mild flavor, tilapia is suitable for a wide range of preparations: grilling, braising, steaming, pan-seared fillets, or sour soup.
Notably, tilapia is considered a safe choice for pregnant women. Its widespread farming and abundant supply help keep prices stable, making it easily accessible for all households.
(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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