Vietnam's tilapia export turnover reached $99 million in 2025, marking a spectacular 141% increase compared to 2024, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
In December 2025 alone, export turnover hit $14 million, a 156% surge over the same period last year, reflecting a sharp rise in import demand from multiple markets. The year 2025 stands as a breakthrough year for Vietnamese tilapia, with the US emerging as the primary engine of growth.
Tilapia exports to the US in 2025 reached $53.15 million, an impressive 173% increase over 2024, accounting for 54% of the country’s total tilapia export value. This result solidified the US as the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia. In December 2025, exports to the US stood at $3 million; while this was a slight 6% dip compared to the previous year, the U.S. maintained its position as the top destination.
This robust annual growth reflects rising demand in the American market and demonstrates the agility of Vietnamese enterprises in seizing opportunities and adapting to a volatile global competitive landscape.
The surge in the frozen fillet segment mirrors consumption trends in the US, where convenient, easy-to-prepare, and quality-stable products are increasingly favored. Meanwhile, the fresh and frozen whole tilapia segment maintained steady growth, totaling over $13 million (up 4% year-on-year), serving as a foundational component of the export structure.
The momentum of Vietnamese tilapia in the US is closely linked to shifts in global supply. China, the world’s largest tilapia producer and exporter, continues to face high tariffs of up to 55%, significantly weakening its competitiveness in the US market. Additionally, Brazil was hit with a 50% tariff starting in August 2025, forcing its exporters to recalibrate their strategies.
Capitalizing on these gaps, Vietnamese businesses have accelerated investment in tilapia farming and processing—particularly frozen fillets—to meet US market requirements. Advantages in production costs, stable supply, and the ability to meet stringent technical and quality standards have allowed Vietnamese tilapia to expand its market share.
According to VASEP, export turnover to Brazil in 2025 reached $11 million, an astronomical increase of more than 7,5% compared to 2024. December 2025 alone saw nearly $8 million in exports to this market, accounting for over 56% of total tilapia exports for that month, indicating a massive spike in demand toward the year-end.
In the Middle East region, tilapia exports in 2025 reached nearly $9 million, an increase of 339% compared to the previous year. Among them, Saudi Arabia was the key market with export value reaching $8 million, up by as much as 670%.
Meanwhile, tilapia exports to the EU reached $5 million, up 24% compared to 2024. For the CPTPP bloc, export value reached $6 million, an increase of 62%, while the ASEAN market recorded a 77% growth, reaching around $3 million.
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