Vietnam’s tilapia exports to U.S. accelerate

Tilapia exports to the U.S. surged by 173% in 2025, as two major suppliers of the food, including China and Brazil, faced high tariffs, altering the supply landscape in this market.

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Exports to the U.S. last year reached 53.15 million USD, accounting for approximately 54% of total tilapia exports, making the U.S. the largest import market for this product, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Compared to 2024, this strong growth reflected both increased import demand from the U.S. market and the ability of Vietnamese businesses to capitalize on opportunities amid fierce international competition.

Tilapia exports to the U.S. last year reached USD 53.15 million, accounting for approximately 54 percent of Vietnam's total tilapia exports. (Photo for illustration: doanhnghiephoinhap.vn)

In terms of product structure, the growth in tilapia exports to the U.S. was mainly concentrated in fillets with approximately 40 million USD, a 499% increase year-on-year, becoming the main driver of the overall export increase. This trend aligns with U.S. consumer demand, where convenient, easy-to-prepare, and consistently high-quality products continue to be favored.

Conversely, exports of other processed tilapia products and dried fish to the U.S. market recorded sharp declines of 39% and 68% year-on-year, respectively, indicating that the U.S. market has been increasingly focusing on frozen fillet products, rather than other deeply processed products.

According to VASEP, the increased presence of Vietnamese tilapia in the U.S. market is linked to significant fluctuations in global supply.

China, the world's largest tilapia producer and exporter, has continued to face tariffs of up to 55% on exports to the U.S., significantly reducing its competitiveness. Meanwhile, Brazil has been also subject to a high 50% tariff from August 2025, forcing its businesses to adjust their export strategies, including shifting to other markets.

In this context, Vietnamese businesses have stepped up investment in tilapia farming and processing, especially frozen fillet products that meet the technical requirements and consumer preferences in the U.S.

Advantages in production costs, relatively stable supply, and the ability to flexibly meet import standards are helping Vietnamese tilapia expand its market share in the demanding market.

Source: VNA