(seafood.vasep.comvn) In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam's pangasius exports reached $1.4 billion, a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2024, reinforcing its role as one of the country’s key seafood sectors. The HS03 product group (fresh/frozen/dried) contributed $1.383 billion, accounting for nearly 98% of the total pangasius export value. Among these, frozen pangasius fillets (HS0304) generated over $1.1 billion, up 11% from the previous year, continuing to be the mainstay product. Notably, processed products (HS16) reached $36 million with an impressive 32% growth compared to the same period in 2024, signaling positive developments in diversifying value-added products.
In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China and Hong Kong saw a negative growth of 4% compared to the same period last year, reaching only $357 million and accounting for 25% of Vietnam’s total pangasius exports. In August alone, exports to this market also dropped by 4%, totaling $55 million.
CPTPP and South America emerge as growth pillars
The CPTPP bloc led the growth in Vietnam’s pangasius imports during the first 8 months of 2025, with export value reaching $242 million, up 36% year-on-year - the highest among all market groups. Japan, Canada, Mexico and Chile recorded stable demand, particularly for high-quality fillets and deeply processed products. The primary reason is the near-zero tariff benefits under the CPTPP agreement which gives Vietnamese pangasius a clear pricing edge over competing species such as pollock and tilapia. Additionally, these markets require clear quality standards and traceability that many Vietnamese enterprises have successfully met, thereby increasing the average order value.
Beyond CPTPP, South America is also proving to be an increasingly attractive destination. By the end of August 2025, exports to Brazil – considered the gateway to the region - reached $118 million, surging 54% compared to the previous year, driven by rising demand as a substitute for local tilapia and growing consumer familiarity with pangasius. Colombia and Chile maintain stable imports, further expanding Vietnam’s footprint in the region. Both CPTPP and South America not only offset the decline from China but also offer opportunities for higher profits through quality orders, better payment terms and higher margins. These two markets are emerging as the “twin growth engines” for Vietnamese pangasius.
Second half of 2025: A strategic window for market restructuring
In the second half of 2025, the supply of raw pangasius is tightening, while export prices show signs of recovery in Q4. This presents an opportunity for enterprises to exporters to contracts in fast-growing markets such as CPTPP and South America, capitalizing on the year-end holiday season. Meanwhile, the U.S and EU will continue to serve as stable markets with high sustainability standards, compelling the pangasius industry to elevate quality to maintain market share.
The ASEAN market also remains promising, with pangasius exports to Thailand reaching $52 million (+31%) and to the Philippines $26 million (+31%) in the first eight months of 2025.
If enterprises can consolidate their position across the three key pillars - CPTPP, South America and traditional markets U.S., EU, and ASEAN) - Vietnam’s pangasius industry will achieve a multi-polar market structure, reducing reliance on any single market and enhancing resilience against global trade fluctuations.