In the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports reached 62 million USD, representing an increase of more than 100 per cent compared with the corresponding period of 2025. The figures underscore the sector's strong recovery in international markets.
Brazil remained Viet Nam's largest import market for tilapia. Exports to the South American country totalled 8 million USD in May 2026. Cumulative exports during the first five months reached 34 million USD, accounting for more than half of Viet Nam's total tilapia export value.
By contrast, exports to the US, the second-largest market, continued their downward trend. Shipments totalled 4 million USD in May, down 53% year-on-year. During the January–May period, exports to the US reached 14 million USD, a decline of 23% compared with the same period last year. The downturn reflects continued weakness in the US seafood market, as well as intensifying competition from alternative suppliers.
Canada and Australia posted the strongest growth, with triple-digit increases during the first five months of 2026. Tilapia exports to Canada surged 236%, while shipments to Australia rose 123% year-on-year. Although export volumes to these markets remain relatively modest, the results highlight the considerable potential for Viet Nam's tilapia to expand its market share in developed economies alongside its traditional export destinations.
Despite the strong export performance, the outlook for Viet Nam's tilapia industry remains challenging. Brazil, currently the country's largest export market, is tightening trade protection measures on imported products.
In the context of a weakening US market and increasing policy risks in Brazil, Vietnamese tilapia exporters will need to diversify their export markets proactively, with greater emphasis on promising destinations such as Canada, Australia, the Middle East and the European Union (EU).
At the same time, greater investment in value-added products and enhanced competitiveness will be crucial to sustaining the industry's growth momentum in the years ahead.
Meanwhile, Viet Nam's shrimp exports reached 1.9 billion USD during the first five months of 2026, up 12% compared with the same period last year. Despite continued volatility in the global seafood market, the result demonstrates that the shrimp sector has maintained solid growth, supported by rising demand in several Asian markets.
