95% of pangasius exported to Germany are frozen fillets

Germany, the third largest pangasius market in the EU in 2013 stepped down to the fourth position in 2014. Pangasius imports into Germany have declined since 2010. Frozen fillets account for 95% of total pangasius consumption in Germany. Data from Eurostat revealed that imports of pangasius fillets in Germany fell to EUR 35 million in 2013 from EUR 69 million in 2010. In the first two months of 2014, Vietnam pangasius exports to Germany continued to reduce by 22% year on year. According to the Vietnam Customs, pangasius exports to Germany in 2014 valued at USD 39.76 million, down nearly 12% compared with 2013.

In 2012 and 2013, most of pangasius in Germany was directly imported from Vietnam, accounting for 85-90%. Some Dutch companies  re-exported pangasius to the market.

In 2013, Germany imported 19,400 MT of pangasius fillets, 95% of which was frozen, the other was fresh. Volume of pangasius imports of Germany reduced by nearly 50% compared to 2010.

Frozen pangasius fillets in Germany in 2013 were priced at EUR 1.92/kg, down 14% comparing to 2012 when they were EUR 2.24/kg. The increase in supply of other whitemeat fish lowered pangasius prices. Average import price of the frozen fish fillets in Germany were lower than in the UK and the Netherlands, which were EUR 2.29 /kg and EUR 2.03/kg, respectively.