(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
Vietnamese Tilapia Continues to Expand Strongly Across Markets
By market, Brazil remained the largest destination, with export value reaching USD 7 million, accounting for 49% of total exports in March. The United States ranked second with USD 4 million, representing 28%, up 16% year-on-year. Together, these two markets accounted for 77% of total exports, indicating a high level of dependence on key markets.
Meanwhile, several markets posted remarkable growth. Exports to Saudi Arabia reached USD 840 thousand, up 563%, while the Dominican Republic recorded USD 451 thousand, up 134%. In Asia, Japan reached USD 418 thousand, up 110%, and Malaysia reached USD 398 thousand, up 406%, showing rapidly rising demand for tilapia products.
Other markets such as Belgium recorded USD 301 thousand, up 15%, while South Korea reached USD 132 thousand, down 31%. Emerging markets like Papua New Guinea and Colombia recorded export values of USD 101 thousand and USD 99 thousand, respectively.
By market bloc, exports to CPTPP countries in March 2026 reached USD 1 million, accounting for 7% of total exports, up 29% year-on-year. Exports to the Middle East reached USD 878 thousand, accounting for 6%, up sharply by 460%, while ASEAN reached USD 435 thousand, accounting for 3%, up 433%. In contrast, exports to the European Union reached USD 516 thousand, accounting for 4%, down 14%.
Growth Driven by Key Markets
Overall, tilapia exports in March 2026 recorded strong growth, with the main drivers being Brazil and the United States, which together accounted for 77% of total export value. Growth in these two markets played a decisive role in the sector’s overall performance. Meanwhile, other markets such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Japan saw impressive growth rates—many exceeding 100%—but their relatively small scale limited their overall contribution.
Although still modest in share, these emerging markets are considered to have strong potential in the long-term development strategy, helping Vietnam’s tilapia sector gradually reduce its dependence on a few major markets and enhance export sustainability. However, in the short term, rapid expansion into these markets remains constrained by production capacity and export capabilities. Currently, many Vietnamese enterprises continue to focus on expanding their presence in the U.S.—a large and stable market. In the long run, however, market diversification will be essential to ensure sustainable growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry.