(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in May 2026, reaching USD 14 million, up 18% compared with the same month last year. Cumulative export value for the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 62 million, representing a remarkable 101% increase over the same period in 2025, highlighting the sector’s strong recovery in international markets.
Brazil continues to grow while the U.S. shows no signs of recovery
Brazil remained Vietnam’s largest tilapia import market. In May 2026, exports to Brazil reached USD 8 million. During the first five months of the year, export value totaled USD 34 million, accounting for more than half of Vietnam’s total tilapia export turnover. This performance reaffirms Brazil’s pivotal role in driving the industry’s overall growth.
Meanwhile, the United States, Vietnam’s second-largest market, continued to experience a downward trend. Tilapia exports to the U.S. reached USD 4 million in May 2026, down 53% year-on-year. For the first five months, exports totaled USD 14 million, a decline of 23% compared with the same period last year. This decrease reflects ongoing challenges in the U.S. seafood market as well as intensifying competition from other suppliers.
Saudi Arabia, the Dominican Republic, and emerging markets gain momentum
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia showed mixed performance. Export value in May reached USD 332,000, down 74% year-on-year. However, cumulative exports during the first five months still amounted to USD 3 million, up 87%, indicating that import demand in this market continues to expand over the medium term.
The Dominican Republic maintained a strong growth trajectory. Exports in May reached USD 393,000, up 37% compared with the same period last year. For the first five months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2 million, a significant increase of 147%, making it one of the fastest-growing markets for Vietnamese tilapia.
Canada and Australia recorded the most impressive growth rates among Vietnam’s tilapia export destinations during the first five months of 2026. Exports to Canada surged 236%, while shipments to Australia increased 123% year-on-year. Although export volumes remain relatively modest, these results demonstrate considerable potential for expanding Vietnam’s market share in developed markets beyond its traditional destinations.
Protectionist measures in Brazil pose challenges
Despite strong export growth, Vietnam’s tilapia industry still faces significant challenges. Brazil—the sector’s largest market—is increasingly implementing protectionist measures on imported products. Several states have either introduced or proposed higher ICMS taxes on imported tilapia, while the state of Pernambuco has enacted temporary restrictions on the commercialization of imported tilapia in various forms. At the same time, Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies is considering legislation that would ban tilapia imports in an effort to protect domestic producers.
As the U.S. market continues to weaken and policy risks in Brazil increase, Vietnamese tilapia exporters need to proactively diversify their markets and further develop opportunities in promising destinations such as Canada, Australia, the Middle East, and the European Union. In addition, investment in value-added products and enhanced competitiveness will be critical for sustaining the industry’s growth momentum in the coming years.
