(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
China dominates the industry but faces growing pressure to diversify markets
China remains the dominant force in the global tilapia industry. The country’s total tilapia supply reached approximately 2.1 million metric tons in 2025. Around 60% of production was exported, equivalent to about 1.1 million metric tons, and exports are expected to increase to 1.15 million metric tons in 2026.
In 2025, Chinese tilapia exports to the United States declined due to reciprocal tariffs and additional duties imposed on Chinese products. This created a market gap that Vietnam successfully leveraged to expand its presence in the US market. Although lower tariff rates in 2026 have facilitated the return of Chinese tilapia to the US, China is gradually shifting away from dependence on a single market toward a broader diversification strategy. Chinese tilapia exporters are actively expanding sales within the RCEP bloc while also viewing the European Union as a promising growth destination.
Brazil: Vietnam’s largest customer and a potential competitor
Brazil is the largest tilapia producer in the Americas, with production reaching approximately 707,500 metric tons in 2025, up nearly 7% from the previous year. While Brazil is currently Vietnam’s largest tilapia export market, accounting for more than 50% of total export value, it is also expanding its domestic production capacity.
The clearest sign of protectionism is Bill 6331/25, which has been approved by the Agriculture Committee of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies. The bill proposes banning tilapia imports to protect domestic producers. It is currently under review by additional committees before being submitted for a full congressional vote.
Egypt focuses on Middle Eastern export markets
Egypt is one of the world’s three largest tilapia producers, with output reaching 1.7 million metric tons in 2024, accounting for 99% of total production in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
According to the Egyptian Food Export Council (FEC), Egypt exported 17,000 metric tons of fresh and chilled tilapia in 2024, valued at USD 9.4 million. The country ranked second globally in this product segment, holding a 20% share of the world market.
The United Arab Emirates is Egypt’s largest export destination, accounting for 61% of export value, followed by Kuwait, Qatar, Tunisia, and Libya. This indicates that Egypt is primarily focused on the Middle East and North Africa and does not directly compete with Vietnam in its traditional export markets. However, if Vietnam seeks to expand its presence in the Middle East, Egypt will be a competitor to watch closely.
As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to grow, competition in the international tilapia market is expected to intensify. Major producers are simultaneously expanding production capacity and strengthening their positions in key markets, creating both challenges and opportunities for Vietnam’s rapidly developing tilapia industry.