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Frozen Tilapia Fillets Dominate US Whitefish Market with $262 Million in Sales

UNITED STATES
Thursday, October 09, 2025, 17:10 (GMT + 9)

US Whitefish Imports Soar 42% as Tilapia, Cod, and Pangasius Lead Demand

The United States is one of the world's strongest consumer markets for whitefish products. According to data from the International Trade Centre (ITC), in the first seven months of 2025, US whitefish imports reached more than $1.1 billion USD, marking a significant increase of 42% over the same period last year. Tilapia, Cod, and Pangasius are considered the most popular whitefish species in the US, as reported by VASEP (the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers).

China's Frozen Tilapia Fillets Are the Best-Seller

Specifically, according to the ITC, frozen tilapia fillets (HS code 030461) originating from China are currently the top-selling whitefish product in the US.

• By the end of July 2025, US imports of this product reached $262 million USD.

• This represents a sharp increase of 68% over the same period in 2024.

• The product accounted for 23% of the total value of whitefish imported globally.

Frozen Cod Takes Second Spot, Also Driven by China

Following closely behind frozen tilapia fillets, frozen cod fillets (HS code 030471) ranked second in the first seven months of 2025.

• The US imported more than $260 million USD worth of this product, representing a 13% increase year-on-year.

• This product also accounted for 23% of the total imported whitefish value.

• The ITC states that China is the largest supplier, accounting for 62% of the proportion and reaching $162 million USD in value, up 1% over the same period in 2024.

Vietnam's Pangasius Remains a Top Contender

Vietnam's frozen pangasius fillet (HS code 030462) secured the position as the third best-selling product in the US market.

• According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius export turnover to the US in August 2025 reached $28 million USD, down 20% compared to August 2024.

• However, cumulative pangasius export to the US in the first eight months of the year reached $234 million USD, a 4% increase over the same period last year.

• The US is the second largest single consumer of pangasius from Vietnam, trailing only China. Vietnam remains the largest supplier of this product to the US.

Click on the image to enlarge ir, Source: VASEP

Other Fast-Growing Whitefish Segments

In addition to the top three, the US market consumed several other whitefish products in the first seven months of 2025 with notable growth and value:

• Fresh or chilled tilapia fillets (HS code 030431) reached $96 million USD, though this was a 71% decrease, accounting for 9% of the total proportion.

• Frozen tilapia (HS code 030323) reached $80 million USD, showing a strong increase of 77%, accounting for 7% of the proportion.

• Frozen haddock fillets (HS code 030472) saw the largest growth, reaching $78 million USD—an impressive surge of 164%—accounting for 7% of the proportion.

• Fresh or chilled tilapia (HS code 030271) reached $27 million USD, up 56%, accounting for 2% of the proportion.

Future Outlook for Vietnam's Seafood Industry

Despite global fluctuations, Vietnam's pangasius exports in the first eight months of the year showed "positive colors." Vietnamese enterprises are now investing in diversifying whitefish products, notably in tilapia farming, and focusing on developing value-added products. It is anticipated that in the last months of 2025, pangasius exports will continue to grow, helping the Vietnamese seafood industry reach the ambitious milestone of $10 billion USD in total export value.

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