Brazil remains the leading market
Brazil continued to play a prominent role in Vietnam’s tilapia export structure. In August alone, export value to this market reached US$4 million. In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Brazil totaled US$44 million, surging 22,142% year-on-year.
This exceptional increase mainly reflects the rapid expansion of export volumes from a low base in the same period last year. Brazil now accounts for nearly half of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value in the first eight months, making it one of the key markets for the product.
U.S. market remains under pressure
In the United States, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached US$2 million in August, down 72% year-on-year. During the first eight months, export value totaled US$21 million, down 48%.
U.S. demand has yet to show a clear recovery, while relatively high inventory levels have made importers more cautious about new purchases. This situation continues to weigh on Vietnamese tilapia exports to one of the major consumer markets.
Middle East and Japan show positive signals
In Saudi Arabia, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached US$2 million in August, up 20% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first eight months reached US$7 million, up 23%. Saudi Arabia remained a key contributor to the Middle Eastern market, with total exports to the region reaching US$7 million, up 23%.
Japan, meanwhile, recorded notable growth in August, with export value reaching US$400,000, up 192% year-on-year. In the first eight months, exports to Japan totaled US$2 million, up 77%.
Notably, Vietnamese brackish-water tilapia has begun entering Japan’s sushi and sashimi segments. Meeting stringent requirements for product quality, farming-water control, traceability and processing for these segments demonstrates the potential to expand the value-added applications of Vietnamese tilapia, rather than competing primarily in mainstream segments.
Markets continue to expand
Beyond individual markets, several regions also recorded positive results. In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to CPTPP markets reached US$6 million, up 50%, with Japan and Mexico making significant contributions. Exports to the EU reached US$4 million, up 7%, with Belgium serving as the main growth driver.
In Europe, relatively limited supplies and higher prices for wild-caught whitefish are creating additional room for farmed species that can provide stable supplies. Tilapia could be considered as an alternative raw material in certain segments, particularly when it can meet requirements for quality, specifications and certification.
Quality remains key
The first eight-month results show that Vietnamese tilapia is gradually expanding its market reach. However, heavy dependence on several markets and the sharp decline in exports to the U.S. also indicate that the sector continues to face considerable market volatility.
The entry of Vietnamese tilapia into Japan’s sushi and sashimi segments could open new development opportunities not only in Japan but also in other high-standard markets. To sustain current growth, exporters need to maintain strict quality control from farming areas through processing, meet international certification requirements, ensure traceability and further leverage the advantages of brackish-water tilapia.
Building a strong reputation for Vietnamese tilapia will also require a gradual approach based on consistent quality, reliable supply and products tailored to the specific needs of each market. These will provide the foundation for Vietnamese tilapia to move beyond export growth and establish a more sustainable position in the international market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
(vasep.com.vn) Changing markets, shifting buyer demand, and increasingly complex trade barriers are raising a key question for Vietnam’s seafood industry: Where will the new growth opportunities lie in 2027–2029?
(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.
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