Pangasius exports to the U.S. reached US$30 million in June 2011

In January-June 2011, monthly pangasius export volume and value kept on growing on those of January-June 2010 and rose on those of the previous month. Pangasius exports in February reached the lowest level with US$11 million while fish exports in June reached the highest level.

Average export price  to the U.S. reached the lowest in March with US$3.19 per kilogram and reached the highest in May with US$3.79 per kilogram. In the last six months, average export price  to the U.S. reached US$3.51 per kilogram, up 12 percent over that of January-June 2010.

In the first half of the year, supply of catfish in the U.S. market decreased continuously compared with that of 2010 due to the drop of catfish farming area. According to National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) under United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. has only 99,600 acres of catfish farming area, down 13 percent on that of 2010 (115,000 acres). Only North Carolina and Texas of the U.S. remain fish farming area but Mississippi (the largest catfish farming area of the U.S.) reduce its farming area from 64,000 acres (2010) to 55,500 acres (the early 2011).

Catfish sector of the U.S. fell into troubles because fish farming area was cut down while raw material price rose due to economic crisis and high feed price. This is a good opportunity for Vietnam pangasius exports. 

According to statistics of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), in January- May 2011, the U.S. imported nearly US$100 million of Vietnam pangasius, taking 87 percent of total imports, followed by China with 10,5 percent, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Mexico and Canada with small market share.