According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in 2024, Vietnam’s tilapia exports (including red tilapia) reached USD 41 million, a sharp increase of 138% compared to 2023.

Specifically, red tilapia exports reached USD 13 million, up 20%, while tilapia exports alone surged to USD 28 million, an extraordinary 348% growth compared to 2023.

Notably, tilapia exports to the US market in 2024 reached USD 19 million, skyrocketing by 572%. In addition, exports to Japan also doubled compared to the previous year.

In just the first three months of 2025, tilapia exports hit nearly USD 14 million, an impressive 131% increase over the same period last year. Exports to the US alone reached over USD 6 million, tripling year-on-year and accounting for 46% of total export revenue, making the US the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia.

Products exported to the US mainly include whole frozen tilapia, frozen fillets, and various tilapia meat cuts.

VASEP also reported that the global tilapia market reached USD 10.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 14.5 billion by 2033. Global tilapia production reached approximately 7 million tons in 2024 and is expected to hit 7.3 million tons in 2025.

At numerous international seafood conferences, tilapia is referred to as the "fish of the future," underscoring the vast potential and opportunities for Vietnam’s tilapia industry to scale up production and boost exports.

For years, Vietnam has been the world’s largest exporter of pangasius, another white-flesh fish that shares many traits with tilapia and thrives in similar environments.

Tilapia boasts a short farming cycle, taking just 5-6 months to reach a market weight of 600-800 grams per fish, with low production costs. In the Mekong Delta, around 3,300 hectares of water surface are available for integrated or rotational farming of tilapia alongside brackish-water shrimp.

Currently, Vietnam ranks fifth in Asia for tilapia production, behind China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, global demand continues to surge, with tilapia consumption growing 13% annually. The US alone imports about 200,000 tons each year. Vietnamese tilapia is also highly favored in the EU - a market known for stringent import standards - presenting further export opportunities.

Additionally, China’s declining tilapia supply and the US imposing anti-dumping duties of up to 125% on Chinese tilapia create a golden opportunity for Vietnam and other nations to expand their market share.

Tam An