Removing bottlenecks to develop tilapia industry

On the morning of August 4 in Ha Noi, the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance (MAE), in collaboration with Lutheran World Relief (LWR), held a consultative workshop to gather feedback on the Draft Document for the U.S.-Viet Nam Aquaculture Value Chain Partnership Project (FAST-V).

The workshop is an important forum that brings together representatives from central ministries and sectors, management agencies, research institutes, embassy representatives, international organizations, processing enterprises, and local leaders to contribute ideas to refine the draft document before it is submitted to the MAE for review and approval.

Breakthrough momentum and potential of the tilapia industry

Delivering the opening speech, Mr. Nhu Van Can, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance, emphasized that Viet Nam's fisheries sector is entering a new development phase, focusing on implementing the major guidelines of the Party and State regarding scientific and technological development, innovation, digital transformation and private economic development.

The fisheries sector is striving to shift its growth model towards reducing wild catch, increasing aquaculture, protecting aquatic resources, and ensuring sustainable development. The goal is for aquaculture production to reach 7 million tons by 2030, accounting for 70% of the country's total seafood output. The proportion of aquaculture has grown continuously, from surpassing wild catch in 2007 to reaching 61% in 2025.

In that overall strategy, alongside key species such as brackish water shrimp, pangasius and marine farming, tilapia has become a particularly important aquaculture species. Leaders of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance stated that, with advantages such as high adaptability, short farming time, and competitive costs, tilapia plays a pivotal role in ensuring food security and providing a sustainable protein source.

Globally, tilapia is currently farmed in 140 countries with an output of 7 million tons per year; the market size reached USD 10 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit USD 14.5 billion by 2033.

In Viet Nam, tilapia production increased from 188,000 tons in 2015 to 420,000 tons in 2025. Export turnover in 2025 reached USD 99 million, with the US market accounting for USD 53 million. In the first six months of 2026, tilapia exports continued to reach USD 68.7 million, up 65.9% year-on-year.

Mr. Nhu Van Can affirmed that if current bottlenecks are effectively resolved, Viet Nam can absolutely turn tilapia into a billion-dollar export industry.

Highly appreciating the position of Viet Nam's fisheries, Mr. Benjamin Henderson, Agricultural Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Viet Nam, stated that Viet Nam has demonstrated remarkable progress in agricultural development and seafood exports over the past decades. The U.S. representative emphasized that agricultural cooperation between the two nations does not stop at pure trade but is built on a foundation of scientific cooperation, technical exchange, and capacity building.

The FAST-V project reflects a shared commitment to supporting a productive, competitive, and sustainable aquaculture sector through improving seed quality, optimizing feed and meeting processing regulations for export.

Identifying systemic bottlenecks hindering development

In addition to the results achieved, the morning working session focused on reviewing and candidly identifying five systemic bottlenecks that are holding back the competitiveness of Viet Nam's tilapia industry.

First, the tilapia industry has not yet been proactive in sourcing high-quality, uniform seeds; high-quality seed production capacity currently meets less than 30% of demand, and brackish-tolerant lines have not been diversified to broaden production; the seed system remains unsynchronized.

Second, feed utilization efficiency is low, and nutrition management technology is suboptimal; limited technology and digital transformation drive up production costs, reducing product competitiveness.

Third, value chain linkages remain loose, and production is scattered; concentrated raw-material areas linked to processing and export have not yet formed, thereby easily creating local supply-demand imbalances.

Fourth, access to capital, markets, and international certifications remains limited, especially for farming facilities.

Fifth, there is no overall development orientation to promote synchronous development across the entire value chain, from seed and feed production to commercial farming, processing, and consumer market development.

Presenting the technical report at the workshop, Mr. Nick Richardson, Country Director of LWR in Viet Nam and Director of the U.S.-Viet Nam Aquaculture Value Chain Partnership Project, noted that tilapia is an aquatic species with a highly efficient feed conversion ratio and high resilience to environmental fluctuations and climate change.

However, survey results from farming areas show that feed conversion ratios vary widely among farming households, leading to significant disparities in economic efficiency.

The representative of the implementing organization emphasized that mastering biological indicators, controlling disease-related loss rates, and applying standardized farming processes are decisive factors in boosting profits for farmers and businesses.

Comprehensive solutions from a five-year technical assistance project

The U.S. - Viet Nam Aquaculture Value Chain Partnership Project is a technical assistance project utilizing a USD 15.26 million non-refundable grant funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Food for Progress Program.

The project is implemented from 2026 to 2030 in 8 key provinces and cities, including Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, An Giang, Can Tho, Vinh Long and Ca Mau.

The project is structured into 6 comprehensive intervention components, including: developing high-quality seed and feed systems; building demonstration models and expanding farming areas; enhancing the capacity of industry organizations and cooperatives; improving access to finance; supporting matching in-kind investments for technological innovation; and developing markets and enhancing export capacity.

The project aims to achieve a cumulative commercial output of 1.21 million tons, revenue of USD 1.25 billion, a feed conversion ratio of 1.2, and an increase in the survival rate to 90%.

Directing the document's finalization, Mr. Nhu Van Can, Deputy Director of the Department of Fisheries and Surveillance, highlighted three cross-cutting requirements.

First, the project must stem from the practical needs of the tilapia industry and align with legal policies and sector strategies.

Second, the support content must focus on thoroughly resolving bottlenecks while ensuring feasibility, scalability, and sustainability.

Third, the project must promote the roles of all stakeholders in the value chain and effectively utilize international resources.

The Department leader requested that the consulting expert group incorporate all contributions from the workshop to finalize the document for submission to the MAE for approval.