July 27, 2026
Vietnam's tilapia exports hit US$69.4 million in H1 2026 as Brazil surge drives 289-fold year-on-year jump
Brazil has emerged as Vietnam's largest tilapia market, accounting for more than half of total export value in the first half, while a first shipment to Japan signals the sector's push into higher-value market segments.
Vietnam's tilapia exports reached US$69.4 million in the first half of 2026, with Brazil accounting for US$34.9 million - more than 50% of total export value and a 289-fold increase from the same period in 2025, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
VASEP said Brazil had become the fastest-growing market for Vietnamese tilapia as global demand for competitively priced whitefish continues to rise. Vietnam produced around 420,000 tonnes of tilapia in 2025, supported by expanding seed production, feed manufacturing and seafood processing capacity. The sector has also drawn on expertise developed through the country's established pangasius export industry in production management, quality control, traceability and value-added processing.
Vietnamese tilapia is also making inroads into higher-value markets. A domestic seafood producer recently shipped its first consignment of tilapia fillets to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, following approximately six months of work to adapt farming and processing methods to Japan's quality standards. The company said it received positive feedback from Japanese buyers and plans to expand value-added tilapia exports to the United States, Canada and other markets.
The sector's growth trajectory has been steep: VASEP data shows tilapia exports rose from around US$41 million in 2024 to US$99.3 million in 2025, with the H1 2026 figure suggesting continued momentum. The association expects global demand for frozen fillets, breaded products and retail-ready packaged tilapia to remain robust, with the US, EU, Middle East, Africa and Latin America identified as key growth markets.
- Vietnam News Service
