China increased imports of whole pangasius butterfly by 143% after 5 years

News 08:26 15/02/2023 Thu Hằng
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2022, Vietnam pangasius exports to China & Hong Kong reached 712 million USD, up 58% compared to 2021. The two main product lines exported to China are frozen pangasius fillets (HS code 030462) accounted for over 74% of the value with 531 million USD and frozen pangasius butterfly (HS code 030324) accounted for over 25% with nearly 180 million USD.

Among the main import markets for Vietnam pangasius, China alone has the highest demand for frozen pangasius butterfly.

While exports of frozen pangasius fillets to China increased by 84% from 2018 to 2022, exports of frozen pangasius butterfly increased by 143%.

In 2018, the export of frozen butterfly pangasius accounted for only about 15% of total Vietnam pangasius exports to China. In 2022 this figure is 25%. Meanwhile, the proportion of pangasius fillets decreased from 88% in 2019 to 75% in the last 2 years.

The top 6 provinces in China that import the most frozen whole pangasius products from Vietnam include: Guangdong, Shandong, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Hunan and Anhui. In 2022, in terms of whole pangasius products imported into China, Guangdong alone accounted for 37%, Shandong accounted for 14% and Shanghai accounted for 13%.

For frozen pangasius fillets, imports into Guangdong also accounted for the highest proportion of 28%, Shandong 12%, Tianjin 12%, and Shanghai 10%.

Guangdong, Shandong, and Fujian also have developed seafood processing and manufacturing industries in China. As a large seafood consumer, China is also a powerhouse in seafood processing with about 9.2-9.3 thousand processing facilities and a total capacity of 28.5 million tons/year.

In recent years, China has processed 21-22 million tons of aquatic products (80% are marine fish, 20% are freshwater fish). Every year, a large amount of seafood is imported, another part is processed and exported. In addition to importing pangasius for domestic consumption, China also uses it for reprocessing and export, especially whole pangasius products. According to Chinese customs statistics, in 2022, the country's exports of frozen pangasius fillets reached 8.2 million USD.

After 3 years of the covid epidemic, China's total seafood imports will increase again in 2023. With this huge seafood consumption market, the imported seafood demand is expected to recover significantly in 2023.

In 2022, China's imported frozen fish accounted for 45.4% of total seafood imports. In the future, China's imported frozen fish products still have great development potential.

Shrimp, pollock, squid, pangasius, salmon are all items that account for a large proportion of imports and are also popular at wholesale markets, food services, retail supermarkets and e-commerce channels.

 

Pangasius exports to China, by main product, 2018-2022 (US$ mil.) 

Year

Frozen butterfly pangasius (hs code 030324)

Change (%)

Frozen pangasius fillet (hs 030462)

Change (%)

2018

48.489

 

267.766

 

2019

59.408

23%

449.203

68%

2020

46.712

-21%

347.054

-23%

2021

73.351

57%

210.530

-39%

2022

117.758

61%

492.073

134%

                                                                                                   Source: Compiled by VASEP

Compiled by Thu Hang

pangasius butterfly china import

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Ninh Binh promotes tilapia farming with a focus on high-quality seed

 |  10:30 06/04/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.

Ca Mau promotes scaling up RAS-IMTA shrimp farming model toward sustainable development

 |  10:11 01/04/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).

Ho Chi Minh City approves aquatic animal disease prevention and control plan for 2026–2030

 |  10:07 30/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Chile’s tuna imports surge in 2025, can Vietnamese tuna accelerate?

 |  09:59 28/03/2026

(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.

Vinh Long promotes sustainable development of brackish water shrimp farming

 |  09:28 26/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.

Ha Tinh tightens shrimp seed management to reduce risks for spring–summer crop

 |  09:25 24/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.

Vietnam pangasius exports in February 2026: China remains the leading market

 |  09:23 22/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.

Da Nang promotes high-tech shrimp farming

 |  09:06 20/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.

Shrimp seed industry 2025: A turning point in technology, management and broodstock self-sufficiency

 |  14:57 18/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.

Shrimp exports in the first two months of 2026: China drives growth, lobster surges

 |  08:42 16/03/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached nearly USD 310 million, up 17% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months of the year, shrimp export value totaled USD 690 million, an increase of 20% compared with the same period last year. Compared with the 22% growth recorded in January, the pace of increase in February slowed somewhat, reflecting seasonal factors as the Lunar New Year holiday partially disrupted processing and shipment activities. Nevertheless, the nearly 20% growth in the first two months indicates that shrimp orders from Vietnam are maintaining a more positive trend than in the same period last year.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC