In 2021, the demand for frozen pangasius fillets imported into the US market also had a strong breakthrough, nearly doubling in volume, from 58 thousand tons to nearly 107 thousand tons. The value also nearly doubled from $158 million to $314 million.
By the end of October 2022, pangasius imports to the US have exceeded the level of 2021. In the context of high inflation, demand for high-priced seafood decreased while the trend of increasing pangasius imports is “taking over”. Shrimp imports into the US in the first 10 months of the year decreased by 2% in volume, other crustaceans such as crabs decreased by 17%. In general, the US market tends to consume more fish than shrimp, crab, and molluscs.
After tuna and salmon, white fishes are the third most popular in the US. In which, tilapia was imported the most, followed by cod and then pangasius.
In the frozen fish fillets segment (except tuna and salmon), frozen pangasius fillets imported to the US have the strongest growth in both volume and value. Imports of frozen tilapia fillets increased only 3% in volume, 27% in value, frozen cod imports increased by 10% and 40% respectively over the same period in 2021.
The average price of frozen pangasius fillets imported into the US in the first 10 months of 2022 reached US$4.27/kg, up 51% over the same period in 2021. Of all US imported seafood products, frozen pangasius fillets had the strongest increase in average price this year. Shrimp prices increased only 7%, frozen tilapia 23%, frozen cod 28%, salmon 18%, tuna 13%.
Although account an overwhelming portion in the US market, Vietnam's pangasius exports to the US market focus mainly on the top 5 enterprises (accounting for a total of 98% of sales) including Vinh Hoan Corp, Bien Dong Seafood, VDTG FOOD, NTSF Seafoods and CASEAMEX.
Anti-dumping tax on pangasius is still the main obstacle for enterprises wanting to enter the US market. From 2003 to now, Vietnamese pangasius exporters have undergone 18 annual administrative reviews with many complicated developments and 3 sunset reviews in 2009, 2014 and 2019.
In the 18th administrative review of anti-dumping tax (CBPG) for the period from August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021 for Vietnamese pangasius by the US Department of Commerce (DOC), the tax rate Anti-dumping is applied basically the same as in the previous review.
Accordingly, there are two enterprises receiving tax rates of USD 0.00/kg and USD 3.87/kg respectively, one enterprise receiving a separate tax rate of USD 1.94/kg and 32 companies receiving the national tax rate of 2.39 USD/kg.
By the end of November 2022, Vietnam's pangasius exports to the US market reached 521 million USD, an increase of 61% over the same period in 2021. However, in November, pangasius exports to this market decreased by 10% to nearly 30 million USD.
In 2023, inflation may cause the US seafood demand to continue to decline, but compared to other aquatic products and fishes, pangasius still has better room thanks to abundant supply, affordable price, while the quality is continuously improved.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
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