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
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(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.
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