Tilapia

Hai Phong promotes high-tech farming of red tilapia and tilapia
08:56 07/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This figure reflects an emerging export sector that is taking advantage of market gaps created by global trade disruptions, while larger producers are adjusting their strategies.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.

(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.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2025 recorded a breakthrough growth in Vietnam’s tilapia exports, in which the U.S market emerging as the primary growth driver. The total export turnover of Vietnamese tilapia to the United States reached $53.15 million during the year, surging 173% year-on-year and accounting for 54% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value, thereby making the U.S the largest import market for this commodity. Compared to 2024, tilapia exports to the U.S posted robust growth, reflecting the import demand as well as the ability of Vietnamese enterprises to capitalize on market opportunities amidst volatile global competitive dynamics.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Rabobank, global tilapia production is forecast to exceed 7 million tons in 2025, driven by a strong recovery in major producing countries including China, Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh and Vietnam. Among them, Vietnam is emerging as a potential tilapia supplier in the global supply chain, capitalizing on market fluctuations to expand production and exports.

On November 14, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) organized a Conference for VASEP’s Tilapia Producers and Exporters. At the conference, VASEP, together with businesses operating in the tilapia sector, agreed to establish the Council of VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters (abbreviated as VASEP Tilapia Council)

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of October 17, 2025, in Hai Phong City, the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Surveillance in collaboration with the Hai Phong Department of Agriculture and Environment hosted the 2025 Tilapia Production and Consumption Development Forum. The event gathered representatives from management agencies, experts, scientists and enterprises to discuss solutions for boosting production, enhancing value and expanding consumption markets for this “promising candidate” in Vietnam’s sustainable export strategy.

INFOFISH, in collaboration with international partners, will organize the 13th International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture (ISTA13) together with the 5th World Tilapia Trade & Technical Conference and Exhibition (TILAPIA 2025), taking place from November 3–5, 2025, at the Swissotel Ratchada, Bangkok, Thailand.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, in the first8 months of 2025, Vietnam's tilapia exports (including red tilapia) reached over $63 million, a 174% increase compared to the same period last year - the highest level in the past five years.


SPECIALIST ON
PANGASIUS MARKET

Ms Phuong Linh

Email: phuonglinh@vasep.com.vn

Tel: +84.24.3771.5055 (ext. 214)

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