In 2023, Vietnam's tilapia exports totaled over USD 6 million, representing a 42% decrease from the previous year. The European Union (EU) continued to be the largest market, importing USD 2 million worth of tilapia, despite a 34% decline. The fourth quarter of 2023 showed positive growth across all three months, following a nine-month period of decline.
The United States was the second-largest market, importing nearly USD 1 million in 2023, a 71% reduction compared to 2022. The U.S. market exhibited volatility throughout the year, with a notable surge in December 2023, where exports increased by 78% compared to the previous month.
Frozen tilapia fillets are particularly popular among U.S. consumers. In the first 11 months of 2023, the U.S. imported 84,822 tons of frozen tilapia fillets globally, a 13% increase year-over-year. China remains the largest supplier, offering competitively priced products that challenge Vietnamese exports.
Other markets, including Japan, Belgium, Italy, and the United Kingdom, also experienced declines in Vietnamese tilapia imports, with reductions of 62%, 56%, 38%, and 85%, respectively.
Vietnam's tilapia industry faces several challenges:
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Seed Quality and Supply: The domestic availability of high-quality tilapia fry is limited, with certain regions still relying on imports.
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Production Fragmentation: The lack of integration across breeding, farming, processing, and distribution stages hampers quality control and brand development.
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Standard Compliance: Inconsistent application of standards like VietGAP affects the ability to meet international market requirements.vietnambiz
Despite these challenges, Vietnam possesses natural advantages for tilapia farming, including a tropical climate with average temperatures between 27–32°C, conducive to rapid fish growth. Additionally, the country's experience in aquaculture, particularly with pangasius, provides a foundation for improving tilapia production and export strategies.vietnambiz
