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) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.
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