Changes in The Global Tilapia Industry

   In 2025, the global tilapia industry experienced an extremely turbulent year under multiple pressures, including trade frictions, price fluctuations, regional competition, and market restructuring.

First Quarter: Domestic Prices Fluctuate at High Levels, Continued Price Volatility

   Based on data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' aquaculture monitoring, a study analyzed monthly tilapia prices nationwide from 2018 to 2025, finding that prices experienced three stages since 2018: slight fluctuations, fluctuating increases, and rapid growth:

   Prices rose 43.21% from February 2020 to June 2022; from July 2022 to May 2025, they rose another 45.51%; reaching a high of 11.68 yuan/kg in May 2024, a cumulative increase of over 60% from the low of 7.24 yuan/kg in July 2022.

   Research indicates that price fluctuations will intensify from March to May 2025, a consequence of factors including tariffs, export expectations, and extreme weather, significantly increasing operational risks and financial pressure on the aquaculture sector.

Third Quarter: FAO Global Tilapia Market Analysis – China Under Pressure, Vietnam Rapidly Rising

   A 2025 global tilapia market analysis released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other organizations indicates that global tilapia trade is generally weak, impacted by feed costs, inflation, and declining consumer spending, leading to intense price competition.
 

   The report notes that China faces significant adjustment pressure due to limited exports to the US and high inventory levels, while Vietnam, leveraging its expansion into the North American market and improved processing capabilities, achieved significant growth in tilapia exports in 2025, gradually becoming a new and important force in the global supply landscape.