After reaching a peak of 310 million USD in April 2022, Vietnam pangasius exports began to cool down gradually in the following months. That trend is reflected in both China and the US markets.
Pangasius exports to China broke the record, reaching 113 million USD in April, but falling to 44 million USD in July. Accumulating in the first 7 months of the year, pangasius exports to China still more than doubled over the same period, reaching 451 million USD, accounting for 28% of Vietnam's total pangasius export value. However, Vietnam pangasius’s market share in this market is still modest compared to China's frozen fish import demand. Currently, Vietnam's frozen pangasius accounts for only 8-9% of China's fish imports.
Currently, China loosens the Covid inspection measure, which reduces suspending imports when detecting shipments infected with coronavirus. This will reduce the cost and time for exporting pangasius as well as other aquatic products to this market. However, China is increasingly strict in testing microbiological criteria, food hygiene and safety, so exporters should pay more attention to quality assurance and any regulations and standards of China.
Pangasius exports to the US also reached a peak of 81 million USD in April, but also fell to the lowest level in July, reaching only 32 million USD, down 4% compared to the same period in 2021. Pangasius exports to the US from 2021 to the first half of this year have a relatively high price, so the export value is positive. However, after that hot period, US importers began to adjust prices down, because inventories increased and consumption in the market slowed down due to logistical factors. In general, according to the assessment of pangasius enterprises, this product is still in demand in the US market as well as in other markets, even in the context of current inflation. However, in the second half of the year, export prices will decrease gradually.
By the end of the first 7 months of 2022, pangasius exports to the US were still 92% higher than the same period in 2021, accounting for 24% of total pangasius exports.
Although the US and China dominate the trend of pangasius exports in the direction of slowing down or decreasing, there are many markets that still maintain an optimistic growth for Vietnam's pangasius exports. Typically, the third largest single market, Mexico still maintained a high growth rate of 87% in July. The remaining two markets in the top 5 both increased by double digits in July: increased by 40% and 34% respectively.
In addition, in July, many markets have shown the “breakthrough” in importing Vietnam’s pangasius such as Canada (increased more than 4 times), Hong Kong increased by 114%, Australia by 143%, Singapore increased by more than 2 times and the Philippines by 3.5 times. This shows that Vietnam’s pangasius exports are not tighten to only China or the US markets but has many opportunities to increase exporting to other markets.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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