Data from International Trade Center (ITC) revealed that in QI/2015, China increase imports seafood coded HS03 by 10% compared to QI/ 2014. however, it was 14% lower than QIV/2014. Frozen, whole fish (HS0303) occupied the largest share in seafood import structure with 27.5%.
In QI/2015, Vietnam was the only pangasius supplier to China. Pangasius imports surged by 50% compared to QI/2014. It is expected that many opportunities are reserved for pangasius exporters. Nonetheless, it is a potential market which grows when other falls, not a sustainable one.
In recent years, China has focused on aquaculture. Farming in 11 key provinces including Jiangxi, Guangxi, Hubei, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Shandong, Anhui and Hunan represents 90% of aquaculture production. These provinces are coastal areas or located along the river with unique aquatic species. Cheap freshwater aquaculture production can only fulfill demand in small provinces. The market needs more seafood products, including pangasius.
There are 3 reasons for the surge in Vietnam pangasius exports to China in H1/2015. Firstly, as demand in major importing market such as the US, EU, ASEAN, Mexico, Brazil reduce, market diversity is a must and China is a new and potential one. Secondly beside consumption, China imported pangasius to process and export to the US. Thirdly, to sustainably develop domestic seafood industry, Chinese government offered a new credit package of 20 billion Yuan beside other policies to encourage imports.
Despite being a potential market for pangasius from Vietnam, most trading activities are cross-border. Just over 10% of the imported products were for restaurants, mostly for other domestic consumption and processing. Quality is not highly required, which is not good for reputation of exported pangasius and other seafood. This causes risks of price, payment, quality requirements and therefore, China not a stable market. But still, it is a a potential alternative market while demand major markets decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK have shown positive signs in the first months of 2026. While the UK’s overall tuna imports from the world declined, imports from Vietnam increased strongly, indicating that there is still room for Vietnam to expand its market share. However, behind this growth, competitive pressure remains intense, especially as the UK continues to be a major market for established suppliers such as Ecuador, Mauritius, and Ghana.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Biofloc technology is being piloted in several rice–shrimp farming models in Ca Mau Province, showing initial positive results in controlling pond environments, improving shrimp seed quality, and supporting sustainable aquaculture development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
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