Vietnam’s fast-growing tilapia industry has taken a major step toward greater coordination and competitiveness with the launch of the Council of VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters, established during a sector-wide conference hosted by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
The new council formalises collaboration among producers, processors and exporters at a time when Vietnam is intensifying efforts to diversify its aquaculture portfolio. With global demand rising for mild, versatile whitefish alternatives, tilapia is becoming one of the country’s most promising farmed species.
Vietnam’s tilapia exports topped US$41 million in 2024 and are expected to more than double to $83 million in 2025, according to VASEP. The rapid growth reflects expanded farming investment, increased deep-processing capacity, and the development of higher-value product lines.
While many individual companies have pushed forward on their own, industry leaders at the conference agreed that long-term competitiveness will require a united front.
The newly approved Tilapia Council will serve as a formal platform for members to share information, align on quality standards, address supply chain challenges, and strengthen the sector’s global market position.
Under its newly adopted operational regulations, the council’s priorities include:
- Strengthening links between tilapia farms, processors, traders and exporters
- Supporting quality and value-add improvements across the chain
- Collaborating on raw material sourcing, environmental management and compliance
- Jointly responding to market barriers, regulatory changes and trade issues
- Participating in policy consultations with the government
- Organising quarterly meetings, workshops, trade fairs and international promotion efforts
Membership is open to all VASEP companies active in tilapia, and even non-VASEP firms involved in the tilapia value chain may join for a one-year period.
The council will be guided by a Steering Board of two to three members, including a Chairman from VASEP’s leadership and one to two Vice-Chairmen elected transparently by members. A dedicated Secretariat, supported by the VASEP Office, will manage day-to-day administration, ensuring activities are conducted transparently and democratically.
Tilapia’s rise aligns with Vietnam’s efforts to diversify beyond pangasius and shrimp, both to meet global consumer trends and to reduce reliance on a limited number of species for export revenue. With stable farming conditions, competitive production costs, and increasing expertise in deep processing, tilapia represents a strategic growth opportunity.
Speaking at the launch, industry representatives highlighted the Council as a critical instrument for building a stable, high-quality, competitive export supply chain – and ensuring tilapia becomes a permanent fixture in Vietnam’s aquaculture success story.
