Business

Vietnam’s tilapia exports to US accelerate

Compared to 2024, the strong growth reflected both increased import demand from the US market and the ability of Vietnamese businesses to capitalise on opportunities amid fierce international competition.

Tilapia exports to the US last year reached 53.15 million USD, accounting for approximately 54% of Vietnam's total tilapia exports. (Photo doanhnghiephoinhap.vn)
Tilapia exports to the US last year reached 53.15 million USD, accounting for approximately 54% of Vietnam's total tilapia exports. (Photo doanhnghiephoinhap.vn)

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – Tilapia exports to the US surged by 173% in 2025, as two major suppliers of the food, including China and Brazil, faced high tariffs, altering the supply landscape in this market.

Exports to the US last year reached 53.15 million USD, accounting for approximately 54% of total tilapia exports, making the US the largest import market for this product, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Compared to 2024, this strong growth reflected both increased import demand from the US market and the ability of Vietnamese businesses to capitalise on opportunities amid fierce international competition.

In terms of product structure, the growth in tilapia exports to the US was mainly concentrated in fillets with approximately 40 million USD, a 499% increase year-on-year, becoming the main driver of the overall export increase. This trend aligns with US consumer demand, where convenient, easy-to-prepare, and consistently high-quality products continue to be favoured.

Conversely, exports of other processed tilapia products and dried fish to the US market recorded sharp declines of 39% and 68% year-on-year, respectively, indicating that the US market has been increasingly focusing on frozen fillet products, rather than other deeply processed products.

According to VASEP, the increased presence of Vietnamese tilapia in the US market is linked to significant fluctuations in global supply.

China, the world's largest tilapia producer and exporter, has continued to face tariffs of up to 55% on exports to the US, significantly reducing its competitiveness. Meanwhile, Brazil has been also subject to a high 50% tariff from August 2025, forcing its businesses to adjust their export strategies, including shifting to other markets.

In this context, Vietnamese businesses have stepped up investment in tilapia farming and processing, especially frozen fillet products that meet the technical requirements and consumer preferences in the US.

Advantages in production costs, relatively stable supply, and the ability to flexibly meet import standards are helping Vietnamese tilapia expand its market share in the demanding market./.

VNA
#tilapia exports #Vietnam's exports to the US #VASEP #Vietnamese tilapia United States Vietnam
Follow VietnamPlus

Post-pandemic recovery

Related News

Harvesting cage-farmed tilapia (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam exports first shipment of tilapia to Brazil

This shipment is one of 32 containers, totalling 700 tonnes of tilapia, ordered and imported by JBS Group from Vietnam. The products will first be distributed through HORECA supermarket and distribution network, and showcased in JBS's product display centre in Brazil.

See more

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits a macadamia cultivation model in Huoi Tao B village, Pu Nhi commune, Dien Bien province on March 8. (Photo: VNA)

PM requests boosting agricultural development in Northwestern region

PM Chinh encouraged local residents to explore additional crops and livestock suitable for intercropping in order to maximise land use efficiency. Farmers were also urged to strengthen cooperation with one another and with businesses by joining cooperatives, consolidating land resources and working together to expand production and improve incomes.

Farmers in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang harvest rice grown under the project 'Sustainable Development of One Million Hectares of High-Quality, Low-Emission Rice Associated with Green Growth in the Mekong Delta by 2030.' (Photo: VNA)

Promoting high-quality rice exports amid mounting challenges

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), an estimated 600,000 tonnes of rice worth 370 million USD was exported in January, up 12.4% in volume and 16.9% in value year-on-year. The average export price reached 616.6 USD per tonne, up 4%.

Fuel supply in Hanoi remains stable. (Photo: VNA)

Fuel prices rise sharply from 3 pm on March 7

Since the beginning of this year, domestic fuel prices have undergone 11 adjustments. During this period, both RON95 and E5 RON92 experienced four decreases and seven increases, while diesel oil two falls and nine hikes.

Customers buy and sell fuel at a Petrolimex petrol station. (Photo: VNA)

Capital’s fuel market remains stable after March 5 price adjustment

Operations at several petrol stations across Hanoi have run normally. Along major routes, petrol stations remained open and continued to serve customers as usual. The number of vehicles refueling showed no major changes compared to the days before the price adjustment. Sales activities continued without interruption, and there were no long queues or supply disruptions.

Thang Long II Industrial Park in Hung Yen province. (Photo: VNA)

Green industrial parks draw FDI to northern Vietnam

From 2026, the industrial real estate market in the northern region is forecast to enter a new growth phase as strategic infrastructure projects near completion, supply expands, and green industrial parks become a decisive factor for foreign direct investment (FDI).

Border guards from Thanh Hai Border Guard Station patrol fishing vessels entering Phu Hai port in Phu Thuy ward, Lam Dong province. (Photo: VNA)

Lam Dong orders swift action to address IUU fishing gaps

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Trong Yen has directed heads of relevant departments, sectors and localities to strictly implement directives and newly issued regulations on IUU prevention, while strengthening public awareness efforts so fishermen and businesses better understand and comply with the rules.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh speaks at the meeting to review the development strategy and operational framework for the international financial centre. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM urges early establishment of trading platforms at Int’l Financial Centre

Chairing a meeting in Hanoi on March 6 to review the development strategy and operational framework for the international financial centre, Binh acknowledged the progress made by relevant ministries and localities in a short period of time. However, he noted that current efforts have largely focused on building the organisational structure and legal framework.

Regza Vietnam Electronics Co., Ltd. (fully invested by Taiwan, China) installs four modern production lines in 2024. (Photo: VNA)

FDI disbursement in Jan–Feb reaches five-year high

The NSO noted that the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Singapore were the largest investors during the period, each registering over 1 billion USD in newly committed capital, accounting for a significant share of total foreign investment inflows into Vietnam.

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on Vietnam’s economy under the baseline scenario is expected to remain limited. (Photo: VNA)

Middle East tensions likely to have moderate impact on Vietnam’s economy: VinaCapital

According to Michael Kokalari, Director of Macroeconomic Analysis and Market Research at VinaCapital, the conflict is unlikely to significantly affect Vietnam. Exports to the Middle East account for less than 3% of Vietnam’s total export turnover, while the likelihood of a large-scale and prolonged ground campaign in Iran is considered relatively low.

VinFast has signed a strategic partnership with six electric motorbike dealers in Indonesia, marking a new step in expanding its distribution network in one of the region’s and the world’s largest motorcycle markets. (Photo: VNA)

VinFast partners with six e-scooter dealers in Indonesia

In preparation for the launch of its electric scooters in Q2/2026, VinFast has signed additional MoUs with six dealers, including PT. IB Motor, PT. Sentrik, PT. Axara Marani, PT. Sukses Sejati Indonesia, PT. Tangguh Inti Motor, and PT. Kiki Motor Persada. These partners are distributors with strong experience in key markets and share a common direction toward green mobility solutions.

Fishermen at Dong Tac fishing port in Phu Yen ward, Dak Lak province prepare to head back to sea after the storm (Photo: VNA)

Dak Lak reviews fishing vessel fleet, steps up fight against IUU fishing

Local authorities are focusing on managing registered fishing vessels and reviewing all records and data related to fishing, purchasing and processing seafood. Violations related to IUU fishing are being strictly handled under the principle of “facing the problem, not avoiding it”.

UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew addresses the event (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Vietnam, UK step up cooperation in derivatives commodity market development

The British Embassy in Vietnam and the British Consulate-General in Vietnam, in coordination with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), held a capacity-building session under the UK–Vietnam Growth Gateway initiative in Hanoi on March 5 to discuss strategies for developing a transparent and globally connected commodity and derivatives market.