(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2016, Germany is still the fourth largest importing market of Vietnamese pangasius in Europe after (Netherlands, UK and Spain). However, in the year, pangasius exports to the market continuously decreased in value from 1.1 to 34.8% over the same period last year. Up to the first half of February 2017, the value of pangasius exports to Germany reached US$3.19 million, down 25.8% over the same period in 2016.
From US$74.2 million (in 2007), pangasius exports to Germany peaked in 2008-2009 with the value of US$101.8 million and US$101.3 million, respectively. In just one year from 2007-2008, the export value of pangasius to Germany nearly doubled.
According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, in 2016, 96% of pangasius exported to the German market was under frozen fillet (HS code 0304).
However, in 2010, due to influence of smear in the EU, sales in German supermarkets decreased, the value of export to this market has decreased 17% compared to the previous year. And from 2010 to 2015, the export value of pangasius to the German market gradually decreased, on average from 3.4 to 35%.
Although in 2016, the export value of pangasius to Germany decreased compared to 2015. But according to ITC statistics, in 2016, the average price of catfish imports into the market was still attractive and the second highest in Europe (behind the UK market), average US$2.35 - 2.85/kg. Even in April 2016, the import price of this country reached US$3.04 per kg.
In 2015, Germany continued to increase imports of some white fish products such as Alaska pollock frozen fillet (HS 030475); frozen cod fillet (HS 030471) but reduced the import proportion of frozen pangasius fillets (HS 030462).
In addition to imports for domestic consumption, Germany has re-exported pangasius products to several countries in the region. In 2013, the country exported US$10.6 million of pangasius fillet to Belgium, Austria, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Hungary. In addition, Germany also exported some processed or frozen pangasius products to the central and eastern Europe.
Up to now, there is no sign of increasing imports of frozen pangasius from Germany, but the average import price of this country is relatively stable. Therefore, this is still a good market for pangasius exporters in 2017.