Data from the Vietnam Customs shows that in the first 8 months of 2025, exports of tilapia (including red tilapia) reached over 63 million USD. This is an increase of 174% compared to the same period last year.
The export value of tilapia to internal markets reached 52 million USD, an impressive increase of 359% compared to the same period last year. This figure surpasses Vietnam’s total tilapia export value over the past 5 years, since 2020.
The US is the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia. Vietnam’s export of this item to the US alone accounts for 70% of its total export share to all markets.
According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), the US is the largest consumer of tilapia, while China is the largest supplier to the US and the world. By the end of July 2025, tilapia is the most popular white fish in the US, surpassing cod and catfish. Frozen tilapia fillets under HS code 030461 are the most popular product among American consumers.
Vietnam’s exports of tilapia in the first 8 months of the year surpassed the export value of the past 5 years.
In the first 7 months of this year, the US imported over 1.1 billion USD of whitefish from the world, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year. Specifically, for frozen tilapia fillets under HS code 030461, the US imported 262 million USD, a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2024, accounting for 23% of the total whitefish imported by the US. Vietnam is currently the second-largest supplier of products under HS code 030461 to this market, second only to China.
Countries that supply large tilapia to the US include China, Indonesia, Egypt, and Brazil. Among them, China is at the top of the list. This country is the world’s largest tilapia supplier, and the US has been the largest destination for this item for many years. It’s difficult to find a country in the world that can replace China with frozen tilapia fillets.
The global tilapia market is experiencing strong growth, with production expected to reach over 7 million tons in 2025. According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Processors (VASEP), Vietnam is unlikely to be able to compete directly with major players in becoming the world’s main source of tilapia.
However, besides catfish, a white-fleshed fish with similarities to tilapia, many Vietnamese businesses have now started to raise tilapia for export.
The VASEP said that to compete with major markets, Vietnam needs to focus on several key strategies. The first thing is the increase in production and expansion of farming area.
Second, it is to ensure product quality and diversification to meet the strict requirements of international markets, especially the US and EU.
Thirdly, it involves building brand awareness and strengthening international marketing.
Additionally, it is necessary to take advantage of free trade agreements (FTAs), apply technology, and improve production processes to enhance production efficiency and invest in infrastructure and logistics…