Can Tho is one of the localities with advantages and potential in production, processing and consumption of pangasius. In the past years, there have been many challenges for Vietnamese seafood exports such as technical barriers, trade protection and quality control regulations of import markets; raw materials for processing; the competitiveness of the product, especially anti-dumping lawsuits, the U.S Farm Bill 2014, which had a considerable impact on the production and consumption of pangasius.
However, before the above difficulties, the pangasius enterprises have found solutions to solve the market and shifting export markets. In addition, businesses have applied good practice standards to enhance value added products, so the production and consumption of pangasius of Tho city in 2017 had achieved positive results.
In 2017, the total farming area of Can Tho province was 733 ha, surpassing 05% in comparison with the same period in 2016. The harvested yield was over 174 thousand MT, exceeding 6.4% over the same period in 2016 and the yield hit nearly 289 MT/ha. The pangasius export turnover of Can Tho in 2017 reached US$557.4 million, up 1.35% over the same period in 2016 (US$550 million).
In the past few years, in order to improve the value added and meet the requirements of export markets, farmers and businesses in pangasius production and processing in the area have increased the practice of farming according to standards such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, ASC, BAP, ... The remaining facilities are striving to apply standard measures to ensure food safety products. In addition, the province has developed the project "Helping pangasius farms in Can Tho to apply Good Aquaculture Practices (VietGAP)".
By the end of 2017, pangasius farming area that was certified under the standards hit 234.94 ha, accounting for 40.9% of total pangasius farming area (574 ha); of which, there was 224.94 ha with VietGAP certification and 10 ha with BAP + ASC certification. Pangasius farming area is forecasted to rise as the province has implemented the plan "Helping pangasius farms in Can Tho to apply Good Aquaculture Practices (VietGAP)".
In 2018, the commercial pangasius farming area in Can Tho city is projected to reach 750 hectares with the output of over 163 thousand MT.
In the coming time, Can Tho’s Sub-Department of Fisheries will effectively implement the Can Tho Agricultural Restructuring Project in the direction of increasing value added and sustainable development by 2020 with the orientation to 2030. The agency develops planning of aquaculture areas in 04 districts (Thot Not, Vinh Thanh, O Mon, Co Do). It implements the review of fishery planning and construction of safe pangasius farming areas to develop sustainable pangasius farming. The agency also encourages businesses, cooperatives and farming households in Can Tho to apply the standards such as VietGAP, GlobalGAP, ASC, BAP, ... to improve the quality of products. It reorganizes aquaculture households in the form of linkages such as cooperative groups, co-operatives ... Besides, it promotes the role of associations in organizing the linkages between the stages of production and consumption; facilitates pangasius households to promote food safety products to consumers. Moreover, the agency builds the chain of production and processing materials – consumption; expands and encourages "Outsourcing", “linkage” and “farming from contracts"; as well as develop chain linkages to protect stakeholder interests.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
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