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) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
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