According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Vietnam’s tilapia production currently reaches about 300,000 tons per year. In the first six months of 2025, Vietnam has already reached 220,000 tons. This figure shows positive growth.
Tilapia export turnover in 2024 was 41 million USD, an increase of 138% compared to 2023. The US is Vietnam’s largest import market, with export value reaching 19 million USD, an increase of 572%.
In the first quarter of 2025, tilapia exports continued to grow strongly, reaching nearly 14 million USD, an increase of 131% compared to the same period last year. The US accounts for 46% of the market share, with over 6 million USD. Following is Russia (1.8 million USD) and Belgium (700,000 USD). Additionally, markets such as the Middle East and Japan also recorded positive growth, with export values reaching nearly 2 million USD (up 60%) and 992,000 USD (doubling), respectively.
Tilapia is a potential export item for Vietnam.
The tilapia export market is expanding. Besides the US, in 2025, Vietnam had its first shipments to Brazil, opening up a new direction for this industry.
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in 2024, the global tilapia market reached a value of 10.6 billion USD and is expected to increase to 14.5 billion USD by 2033, with an annual growth rate of 3.52%. Additionally, global tilapia production reached 7 million tons in 2024 and may increase to 7.3 million tons by 2025.
Global tilapia consumption is increasing by 13% annually, with the potential to reach 20 billion USD by 2030. Notably, in the US alone, the annual demand for tilapia imports is 200,000 tons. This creates a significant opportunity for exporting countries like Vietnam.
Vietnam currently ranks 5th in Asia for tilapia production, behind only China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.
Vietnam has a tropical climate (27 – 32°C) and a large surface water area (3,300 hectares in the Mekong Delta). This is an ideal condition for short-cycle (5-6 months) tilapia farming with low costs.
However, experts say that farmers in Vietnam are facing many challenges because fish feed depends on imports. There are issues about tariffs, strict food safety standards, traceability, and sustainable labor practices.
Furthermore, international competition with other suppliers like Brazil or China is considered a challenge for Vietnam’s tilapia exporters. Because the domestic tilapia supply chain is weak, lacks standard factories, and logistics costs have increased due to the trade war.
With favorable natural conditions, biological advantages, a complete legal framework, and increasing international market demand, tilapia promises to become one of Vietnam’s key export products in the coming period.