Brazil remains the leading market in February
Brazil continued to be the largest importer, with USD 4 million, accounting for nearly 50% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value for the month. Demand in this market remained strong, particularly for frozen tilapia fillets serving domestic consumption.
In February, tilapia exports to the United States reached USD 852,000, making up 10% of total exports. Despite a 49% decline year-on-year, the U.S. remained an important market, especially for processed tilapia products.
Exports to Russia ranked third with USD 911,000, accounting for 11% of total export value and rising 114% year-on-year. Saudi Arabia followed in fourth place with USD 833,000, representing nearly 10% of total exports.
Several markets post exceptional growth in the first two months of 2026
The Dominican Republic stood out, with total imports reaching USD 940,000, up 635% compared to the same period last year, emerging as a promising destination for Vietnamese tilapia in the Caribbean region. In Malaysia, exports totaled USD 374,000, up 405% year-on-year, reflecting rising demand in Southeast Asia, particularly for frozen fillet products.The Netherlands also recorded strong growth, reaching USD 274,000, up over 220% year-on-year, and is considered a key gateway for deeper penetration into the European market. Notably, exports to the UAE reached USD 119,000, surging significantly compared to the previous year, highlighting strong potential in the Middle East market.
Broad-based growth across regional markets
By region, Vietnam’s tilapia exports in the first two months of 2026 expanded across most markets. The Middle East reached USD 2 million, skyrocketing 2,356% year-on-year, making it one of the fastest-growing regions. The EU recorded USD 1.2 million, up 63%, reflecting demand for alternatives to traditional whitefish. Meanwhile, CPTPP markets reached USD 1 million, up 59%, and ASEAN totaled USD 385,000, up 395% year-on-year.
Outlook shaped by global trade dynamics
In the first two months of the year, global seafood trade was influenced by U.S. tariff policies and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. For tilapia specifically, potential U.S. tariff reductions on certain seafood products may allow Brazilian and Chinese tilapia to regain market share in the near term. At the same time, both countries are actively expanding exports to the EU, where demand for whitefish products is expected to remain strong.
In this context, Vietnamese tilapia currently has limited competitive advantages in the EU market. In the U.S., high inventory levels from previous months may slow import demand in the short term. On the other hand, several Middle Eastern markets are showing positive growth signals for Vietnamese tilapia. However, elevated logistics costs and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in the region could affect the sustainability and expansion of exports to these markets in the long run.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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