Tilapia continues to expand in the U.S. market
The growth momentum has continued into early 2026. In February alone, tilapia exports to the U.S. reached USD 852,000, accounting for 10% of total export value for this product. Cumulatively, in the first two months of the year, exports reached around USD 4 million, up 31% year-on-year. Although there was a slight slowdown in February, this is mainly attributed to seasonality, as importers had significantly increased inventories in Q4 2025 to meet year-end demand.
In the U.S. market, frozen tilapia fillets remain the key product. In February, imports of this item exceeded USD 30 million, ranking second among whitefish products, indicating that demand remains high and stable.
Tariff policies affect U.S. importers’ sentiment
However, the positive outlook comes with notable challenges. New U.S. tariff policies are creating caution among importers. The imposition of a 10% tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974—with the possibility of increasing to 15% in the near future—along with ongoing trade investigations involving several major partners, including Vietnam, is making the export environment more unpredictable.
Competition from Chinese and Brazilian tilapia
Despite the volatility and complexity of the U.S. market, major exporters such as China and Brazil, while seeking to expand into alternative markets, are unlikely to offset the scale and value of the U.S. market in the short term—especially as new markets require time to develop demand for tilapia products.
In 2025, leading exporters like China and Brazil were significantly affected by U.S. tariff policies, reducing their competitiveness in this market. However, entering 2026, as tariffs are adjusted downward to around 10%, companies from these countries are expected to step up their return to the U.S. market. With advantages in production scale and cost efficiency, China and Brazil could quickly expand their market share, creating direct pressure on Vietnamese tilapia.
Geopolitical factors and production scale squeeze margins
In addition, geopolitical instability—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—has driven up fuel prices, leading to higher transportation costs and narrowing profit margins for exporters. Furthermore, Vietnam’s tilapia production scale remains relatively modest, with limitations in technology and seed supply compared to major competitors, reducing competitiveness in both pricing and supply capacity.
In this context, to fully capitalize on opportunities in the U.S. market, Vietnam’s tilapia industry needs to strengthen production capacity, optimize costs, and proactively adapt to fluctuations in global trade policies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the International Seafood Hosted Buyer Program has been designed as a dedicated B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers. The program provides opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood companies, gain market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A Story from Cà Mau’s Coast It’s 5 AM in Cà Mau. Minh, a third-generation fisherman, is ready to set sail. But unlike his father and grandfather, his boat no longer runs on an old diesel engine that burns fuel and clouds the sky with smoke. Instead, it’s powered by a hybrid engine that saves 40% fuel—funded by an ESG program from a major seafood exporter.
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