“Pangasius fillet is seen to impact substantially in the food sufficiency thrust of the government,” Department of Industry (DTI) Regional Operations and Development Group (RODG) Undersecretary Merly M. Cruz said during this year’s National Pangasius Conference in Antipolo City.
DTI, through RODG, earlier pushed a project on pangasius mainly to address the government’s food security program, and provide livelihood projects.
Pangga (pangasius hypothalamus) was introduced by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in the Philippines in 1981. It belongs to the catfish family and known commonly then as an aquarium fish, named “hammer head shark”.
“The current focus on the pangasius industry is seen as a strategy for inclusive growth. It is looked at as a cluster-based development aimed at creating sustainable employment in the countryside and contributing to the food security program through micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) development,” Cruz said.
The DTI-RODG piloted its pangasius project in Mindanao, particularly in regions 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. The project expanded in regions 3, 4, 5, and 8. As of December 2011, a total of P202.358 million investments were recorded. These investments created 915 jobs in the industry’s hatcheries, nursery ponds, grow-out farms and processing companies.
“Our average monthly imports of pangasius fillet from Vietnam amounts to 600 metric tons valued at US$ 1.650 million,” Cruz said.
The Vietnam’s Mekong River is known for its tra (pangasius hypothalamus) and basa (pangasius bocourti) catfish varieties. These fish varieties were usually processed into fillet, nuggets, patties, steaks and steamed dumplings. These pangasius fillet were sold locally in grocery stores, and supplied in high-end and fast food chain restaurants like McDonalds, Chow King and Kenny Rogers.
“The importation of pangasius fillet from Vietnam increased from 2008 to 2010. It only declined in 2011,” Cruz said.
From 2008 to 2009, the country’s imports of pangasius increased by 69 percent, from 2,751 to 4,652 metric tons. In 2010, this trend continued, pangasius imports grew to 6,689 metric tons or 44 percent growth from the past year.
In 2011, the volume of imported pangasius from Vietnam fell to 4,836 metric tons, or 28 percent decrease from its 2010 level. This decrease can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of the government and the private sector to support the industry and the growing market of pangasius.
“By 2016, our goal is to substitute the country’s imports of Pangasius, which mostly come from Vietnam,” Cruz claimed.
“If the country will be able to substitute its monthly importation of 600 metric tons of pangasius fillet by 2016, two hundred seventy (270) hectares of land will be developed. This is expected to generate in Php650 million investments and Php945 million sales. Two thousand seven hundred (2,700) workers will be employed,” Cruz said.
According to BFAR data, total local production of pangasius grew by an average of 186.74 percent from 2008 to 2010.
“The increase in pangasius production can be attributed to the growing interest of Filipino businessmen to invest in pangasius industry. This reflects that government and private sectors’ efforts have paid off, and we need to sustain this momentum to ensure that the growth achieved will rebound to more growth and more benefits for all,” Cruz said. (PNA)
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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