Vietnamese tilapia accelerates growth, creating opportunities to upgrade product structure

Frozen Fillets Dominate the Export Product Structure

By product category, frozen tilapia fillets (HS code 0304) accounted for 86% of the industry's total export value in the first four months of 2026. Frozen whole tilapia (HS code 0303) ranked second but represented a much smaller share, mainly serving markets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, value-added products under HS16 contributed only a negligible portion to the current export structure.

The high concentration in frozen fillets is partly driven by the strong growth in Brazil—which imports 100% frozen fillets and currently accounts for more than half of Vietnam’s total tilapia export value—making this figure somewhat skewed compared to the more diverse demand patterns seen in other markets.

Brazil Prefers Frozen Fillets

During the first four months of 2026, exports to Brazil reached USD 26 million, accounting for 54% of Vietnam’s total tilapia export turnover—the highest concentration ever recorded in a single market.

All exports to Brazil consisted of frozen fillets, reflecting the specific import requirements of Brazilian retail chains following the removal of certain sanitary and phytosanitary barriers. This uniform product structure indicates that Vietnam is currently positioned as a supplier of high-quality semi-processed raw materials, which aligns well with consumer demand in the Brazilian market.

The United States Shows a More Diverse Product Mix

Exports to the United States totaled USD 10 million during the first four months of 2026, up 3% year-on-year. Although growth was lower than the industry average, the U.S. remains the market with the most diversified product structure.

Frozen fillets accounted for 83.6% of exports, while frozen whole fish maintained a 16.4% share. The continued presence of whole fish products suggests that demand from Asian consumer communities in the U.S. remains stable. Processed products (HS16) represented less than 0.01% of export value and remained insignificant.

Middle East and Southeast Asia Favor Whole Fish

Saudi Arabia and Malaysia display consumption patterns that differ from Western markets.

In Saudi Arabia, frozen whole fish accounted for 89% of imports from Vietnam, reflecting typical consumption habits in the Middle East. Malaysia showed a similar structure, with whole fish accounting for 68% and fillets 32%.

Exports to Malaysia reached USD 985,000, up 144% year-on-year—a remarkable growth rate highlighting the market’s expansion potential. These two markets form a distinct segment, providing opportunities for Vietnamese exporters specializing in whole fish products to pursue export strategies that match their production capabilities.

Japan: A Niche Market with Diverse Requirements

Exports to Japan reached USD 1 million, up 92% from the same period last year.

Japan is the only market importing a broad range of product categories simultaneously, including fillets (88.9%), whole fish (9%), and various specialized processed products (2.1%). This diversified import structure indicates Japan’s higher expectations regarding product variety and specifications, which is characteristic of a premium consumer market.

Opportunities for Product Diversification

Data from the first four months of 2026 show that Vietnam’s tilapia exports are entering a period of strong expansion, led primarily by the Brazilian market and frozen fillet products.

The high concentration in a single market and product category reflects the current advantage of Vietnamese exporters in fulfilling large-volume frozen fillet orders with standardized specifications. However, to achieve more sustainable growth in the years ahead, the tilapia industry will need to gradually expand into additional markets, diversify its product portfolio, and develop more value-added, deeply processed products.

This will be an important strategy for reducing dependence on a limited number of core segments while enhancing the international competitiveness of Vietnamese tilapia.