According to Vietnam Customs, the export of value-added pangasius in the first eight months of 2024 has been evaluated as quite positive, with continuous growth in many major markets such as the United States, CPTPP, and the Netherlands...
In August 2024, Vietnam's pangasius exports reached nearly $191 million, a 12% increase compared to August 2023. Accumulated pangasius exports in the first eight months of this year reached nearly $1.3 billion, a 9% increase year-on-year. Notably, value-added pangasius products reached nearly $6 million in August 2024, a significant 75% increase, and $27 million in the first eight months of this year, up 38% compared to the same period last year.
Exports of value-added pangasius to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) bloc exceeded $8 million by the end of August 2024, a 31% increase year-on-year. June 2024 recorded the highest monthly value at over $1.3 million, up 35% compared to June 2023. Australia emerged as the largest consumer of these products within the CPTPP, accounting for 39% of total imports from Vietnam, with a value of over $3 million, representing a 21% year-on-year increase.
The United States has consistently increased its imports of Vietnam's value-added pangasius products since the beginning of 2024. August 2024 marked the highest monthly export value to the US since the start of the year, reaching nearly $3 million, a staggering 15-fold increase compared to August 2023. Prior months also witnessed record-breaking growth, with April seeing a nearly 67,000-fold increase and July a nearly 42,000-fold increase. By the end of August, exports to the US totaled nearly $6 million, a 14-fold increase year-on-year.
Thailand ranked third in terms of importing Vietnam's value-added pangasius. In August 2024, exports to Thailand reached nearly $600,000, up 17% year-on-year. However, while the overall eight-month total exceeded $4 million, a 1% increase, May 2024 saw Thailand halt its imports of these products. The UK, despite a 1% decline in the first eight months, maintained its fourth position as a consumer of Vietnam's value-added pangasius, with a total value of nearly $4 million. August 2024 recorded the highest monthly export value to the UK for the year, although it was down 21% compared to August 2023, reaching over $726,000.
Vietnam's value-added pangasius exports to the EU totaled over $2.3 million by the end of August, down 5% year-on-year. The Netherlands was the largest consumer within the bloc, accounting for 86% of the total value, with exports exceeding $2 million, a 29% increase year-on-year. China and Hong Kong, primarily importing frozen pangasius fillets, have also shown increased interest in value-added products. In August 2024, exports to China tripled year-on-year and reached the highest monthly value for the year at over $200,000. By the end of August, total exports to China reached $791,000, a 50% increase.
Popular value-added pangasius products include breaded pangasius fillets, breaded fish skin snacks, and breaded fish cutlets. The growing demand for Vietnam's value-added pangasius products highlights the success of diversification strategies among Vietnamese seafood businesses. As the global market continues to evolve, Vietnamese enterprises are well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and strengthen their position in the international seafood market.