In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports—including red tilapia—reached over $63 million, marking a 174% increase compared to the same period last year.

This figure surpasses the country’s total tilapia export value for any year since 2020, according to data from Vietnam Customs.

The United States remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia, accounting for 62% of Vietnam's total tilapia export value.

In the same period, red tilapia exports reached $11 million, down 1% year-on-year, with the US market making up 25% of that total. Meanwhile, tilapia exports alone hit $52 million, a remarkable 359% increase, with 70% of that value going to the US.

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), the US is the world’s largest consumer of tilapia, while China is the leading supplier to both the US and global markets. As of July 2025, tilapia has become the most popular whitefish in the US, surpassing cod and catfish. The most consumed product is frozen tilapia fillets (HS code 030461).

In the first seven months of 2025, the US imported over $1.1 billion worth of whitefish globally, up 8% year-on-year. Of that, frozen tilapia fillets (HS 030461) accounted for $262 million, a 19% increase, representing 23% of total US whitefish imports.

Vietnam is currently the second-largest supplier of HS 030461 products to the US, trailing only China. This reflects strong demand and significant growth potential for Vietnamese tilapia products.

Ms. Thu Hang, an expert from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said that Vietnam faces challenges in competing directly with major tilapia producers such as China, Indonesia, Egypt, and Brazil. However, beyond pangasius, another whitefish species with similar characteristics, many Vietnamese companies have begun farming and producing tilapia for export.

Forecasts suggest that by 2033, the global tilapia market could reach $14.5 billion, while shrimp is expected to maintain a ceiling of around $25 billion. This presents a strategic opportunity for Vietnam to position tilapia as its next key export product, following shrimp and pangasius.