Tilapia aims for key export item

Shrimp and pangasius are currently the main export items, but the seafood industry needs to diversify its products. Meanwhile, tilapia, with its good adaptability, low farming costs and high-quality meat, is emerging as a potential option.

Tilapia exports strive to exceed 100 million USD by 2027

Over the past two decades, tilapia farming in our country has developed strongly, contributing significantly to ensuring food security, creating livelihoods for rural people, and aiming for export.

By 2027, tilapia strives to achieve export turnover exceeding 100 million USD. Photo: Viet Khanh

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the tilapia farming area in Vietnam is about 30,000 hectares; the farming area varies between regions, mainly concentrated in the Mekong Delta and the North. The target by 2030 is that the tilapia farming area in our country is expected to reach 43,000 - 45,000 hectares, with an output of 350,000 tons if conditions are favorable and technology is applied more effectively.

In 2024, tilapia export turnover reached 41 million USD with an output of 316 thousand tons. In the first 8 months of this year, tilapia export is estimated at 63.3 million USD, nearly three times higher than the 23 million USD in the same period in 2024.

In terms of markets, the US is the largest importer, accounting for 62% of the total value of Vietnamese tilapia exported to markets. Russia ranks second with 13%, equivalent to 1.8 million USD...

Sharing about the prospects for tilapia exports in the period of 2025 - 2030, VASEP General Secretary Nguyen Hoai Nam said that with the attention of the Government , the fisheries industry is in the process of diversifying aquaculture species, in which tilapia is considered to have potential. Along with that, the interest of businesses in developing tilapia farming, processing and exporting is increasing.

In particular, from 2025, the US will impose a high tax of 45-54% on Chinese tilapia, along with export control regulations in Guangdong and Hainan, reducing China's supply, opening up opportunities for Vietnam. Vietnamese tilapia is considered to be of high quality, clean and safe, many factories have environmental, social and labor certification (ASC), quality management (BAP); suitable for US and EU tastes.

In addition, we also benefit from Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to increase export opportunities, form a closed value chain; strive to achieve export turnover exceeding 100 million USD by 2027, prioritizing the US, EU, Japan and Middle East markets.

Strengthening credit and technology support

In addition to favorable factors, in reality, the tilapia industry still faces many challenges such as small and fragmented farming scale; lack of chain linkages; and unsynchronized infrastructure. Tilapia farming in localities faces many risks due to climate change, diseases and water environment degradation; high input costs, especially feed, accounting for 65-70% of total production costs.

Tilapia breeds are mainly imported, genetic control is not uniform, so there is a potential risk of disease transmission. Currently, Vietnam is developing fast-growing, disease-resistant breeds but has not yet expanded commercially. Strict requirements on international standards, traceability and tariff fluctuations in the global market also put great pressure on businesses...

With the orientation of developing tilapia into a key export product, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Control emphasized that Vietnam needs to re-plan farming areas suitable for ecological conditions, invest in infrastructure and link production with processing and consumption in key areas. At the same time, perfecting the high-quality seed system, applying advanced farming technology such as the recirculating water farming system (RAS), using microorganisms that create suspended particles in water (biofloc), to strengthen environmental management and disease safety.

Developing sustainable industrial feed, organizing production in a closed chain; building brands and expanding export markets are the key directions. In addition, it is necessary to perfect credit support mechanisms, technology transfer, traceability and expand VietGAP, ASC, BAP certification to improve the quality, value and reputation of Vietnamese tilapia in the international market.

Vietnam is facing a decisive moment to shape its strategy for developing the tilapia export industry. According to Dr. Bui Ngoc Thanh, Director of Aquaculture - Vietnam, US Soybean Export Council (USSEC), the focus of this strategy is to standardize product quality, build a stable and transparent supply chain, and strengthen close links between farmers, processing enterprises and the international distribution system.

In addition, enhancing the brand value of Vietnamese tilapia is considered a key factor, associated with the orientation of sustainable development through the use of environmentally friendly raw materials such as American soybeans.

In the coming time, VASEP representative proposed that the tilapia industry should focus on improving production with high-quality, disease-resistant breeds, expanding closed-environment farming models and cooperating with feed businesses to reduce costs; improving processing with automatic fillets, value-added products and supply chain transparency. At the same time, support tax exemptions, land lease funds, insurance and technical training; and promote trade promotion targeting the EU, US, Japan and the Middle East.

Regarding the issue of fish breeds, many experts emphasize that tilapia farming needs synchronous investment in breeding techniques, environmental management, biosafety and technology transfer mechanisms.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/ca-ro-phi-huong-toi-mat-hang-xuat-khau-chu-luc-10393387.html