(vasep.com.vn) The first half of 2014, pangasius exports to ASEAN markets were quite well, with the biggest three, (Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines) achieving positive growth. The first half of this year, pangasius exports reversed.
In QII/2015, pangasius exports to ASEAN valued US$ 35.7 million, downed 10.5% year-on-year. I In H1/2015, pangasius exports to ASEAN surpassed US$ 69.3 million, down 4% year on year. ASEAN was the 4th biggest importing market, after the US, the EU and China. However, price did not rise much while consumption remained slow.
In H1/2015, imports of Thailand, Singapore and Philippines declined by 1.8%, 8.4% and 0.2% compared to last year’s level.
Statistics from the ITC showed that in 2014, pangasius imports of the ASEAN went up 7%. Singapore, the biggest market in the group, experienced 8% growth. Imports of Thailand increased by 21%. Imports of Malaysia declined by 22% whilst imports of Brunei rocketed by 292%.
In H1/2015, Thailand became the biggest pangasius importing market in ASEAN, with value reaching US$ 24.33 million, accounting for 3.2% of the total value of pangasius exports. According to Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA), Vietnam is Thailand's 2nd biggest source of fish products (HS 0302; 0303 and 0304), after Taiwan. In H1/2015, imports of Thailand rose 36.5% from the same period last year. Fish -whole, frozen (HS 0303) accounted for 66.8% of total seafood imports.
Pangasius from Vietnam competed well against substittutes like Alaska pollock, cod, tilapia (HS 0303) in Thailand. In QI/2015, though Thailand imports of pollock, cod, tilapia by 34-50%, pangasius was the second most imported species among fish fresh, chilled products (HS 0304).
The first half of 2015, ASEAN was still a major market for pangasius from Vietnam, however, export value decreased as Vietnamese companies reduced exports to Thailand, for increases in Chinese market.