Nearly 200% rise in tilapia exports, demand concentrated in mid-range segment
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth over the past 11 months of 2025, up198% year on year, pointing to steady demand in the global market, particularly for mid-range products.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), total export turnover reached nearly US$70 million during the January-November period, marking a sharp increase from the same period last year.
Exports dipped slightly in October 2025, but the decline was marginal and was quickly offset toward year-end as consumption picked up during the holiday season. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese tilapia has remained stable, with mid-priced products accounting for the largest share.
Vietnam has also expanded shipments beyond its traditional markets, including exports to Brazil, one of the world’s leading tilapia producers. The development reflects improved competitiveness of Vietnamese tilapia amid ongoing restructuring of global supply chains.
In 2026, the global tilapia market is expected to show clearer segmentation. Brazil is forecast to increase exports to the European Union, taking advantage of its ability to meet the bloc’s technical requirements, food safety standards and sustainability certifications.
Meanwhile, VASEP noted that Chinese tilapia is expected to benefit from an estimated 10% tariff reduction toward the end of the year, facilitating a return to the US market. However, US importers remain cautious due to policy risks and concerns over long-term stability.
For Vietnam, the new market environment requires a more proactive, long-term approach, with export diversification toward Europe, the Middle East and South America to reduce reliance on a few markets.
At the same time, expanding value-added offerings such as breaded tilapia, ready-to-cook products and convenient packaging formats is expected to help lift export value.
In parallel, further investment in broodstock improvement, farming technology and deeper processing is needed to raise productivity, cut costs and meet increasingly stringent sustainability standards in key export markets.
US becomes top buyer of Vietnamese tilapia in eight months
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s tilapia exports, including red tilapia, reached US$63 million over the past eight months of 2025, up 174% year‑on‑year, with the US emerging as the largest importer, accounting for 62% of the product’s total export value, according to Vietnam Customs.
