Great potential, ample room for growth
Speaking at the forum, Mr. Nhu Van Can, Deputy Director of the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Surveillance, highlighted Vietnam’s advantages in developing tilapia thanks to its extensive river systems, reservoirs and vast freshwater-brackish water aquaculture areas. The country currently boasts over 400,000 hectares of freshwater aquaculture land and more than 7,000 reservoirs and hydroelectric lakes, sufficient for establishing large-scale commercial production zones.
According to Mr. Can, tilapia offers strengths in adaptability, reasonable farming costs and high nutritional value, suiting various consumer segments. In the first eight months of 2025, tilapia exports reached $63.3 million, far exceeding the full-year 2024 target of $23 million. “This is a positive signal but the industry must invest systematically in breeds, technology, processing and branding,” he emphasized.
In Hai Phong, efforts to digitize farming zones and assign traceability codes are underway, targeting export standards. Ms. Pham Thi Dao, Deputy Director of the Hai Phong Department of Agriculture and Environment, stated that the locality is positioning tilapia as a key product in its green economy strategy. High-tech farming models such as Biofloc and HDPE cage farming have boosted productivity by 25-30% compared to traditional ponds, while reducing water pollution.
Sustainable development toward a value chain
Vietnam currently has over 40,000 hectares of specialized tilapia farming and 300,000 hectares of polyculture with annual output around 316,000 tons. The infrastructure is maturing, including 300 hatcheries, 80 feed mills and 510 export-standard processing facilities. Major enterprises such as Nam Viet, Viet Nhat, Xuyen Viet and De Heus are integrating production-processing chains, expanding Vietnam’s tilapia market share globally.
However, the sector still faces high production costs, small-scale operations, inconsistent breed quality and weak value-chain linkages. Exports remain concentrated in the U.S and Europe, leaving the industry vulnerable to market fluctuations.
The Directorate of Fisheries identifies tilapia development not merely as a matter of increasing output but for a sustainable value chain linking farmers, enterprises and scientists. By 2030, the target is 400,000 tons of production and $100 million in export value, establishing a national brand “Vietnamese tilapia”.
Key strategies include: planning concentrated farming zones with synchronized infrastructure, developing new-generation breeds (G4), applying Biofloc and RAS technologies, investing in deep processing, diversifying markets and promoting VietGAP, ASC certifications and traceability.
Green pathways and new opportunities
At the forum, the Institute of Aquaculture Research No.1 introduced G4 tilapia breeds with 10% faster growth and 26% higher fillet rates than imported varieties. De Heus Group presented nutritional solutions to cut production costs, while the U.S Soybean Export Council (USSEC) recommended developing tilapia via green, transparent, sustainable supply chains.
Experts view tilapia as the “new spearhead spieces” following the success of pangasius and shrimp, diversifying exports, stabilizing rural livelihoods and advancing the green economy.
Mr. Nhu Van Can affirmed: “If we succeed in improving breeding, technology, production organization and markets, Vietnam can absolutely transform tilapia into a new flagship product, positively contributing to sustainable fisheries development.”
The forum is expected to spark a turning point, helping Vietnam’s fisheries shape a modern, efficient, eco-friendly tilapia industry, positioning it as a strategic export product in the coming years.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
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