China paralyzed in tilapia export to the U.S., Vietnam’s ‘Catfish King’ quickly earns over 1 trillion

Catfish, a key export product of Vietnam, is slowing down, while tilapia is emerging as a new strength. As China struggles with high tariffs on tilapia exports to the U.S., Vietnam swiftly seizes the opportunity. The export revenue of tilapia from Vietnam increased by 359% in the first 8 months of 2025, with 70% targeting the U.S. market. Nam Viet Joint Stock Company (ANV) has become the largest exporter of tilapia in Vietnam, contributing 21.4% to its total revenue with earnings of over 4.8 trillion in the first 3 quarters. ANV is transitioning its farming area to tilapia and plans to increase its processing capacity. However, the Vietnamese tilapia industry faces many challenges from international competition and fish quality. For sustainable development, the industry needs to improve technology, secure feed sources, and reduce export tariffs.