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
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of November 2025, Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover had exceeded the $2 billion threshold, registering a 9% compared with the same period in 2024. In November alone, pangasius exports reached $195 million, also posting a 9% increase year-on-year, underscoring a stable recovery trajectory for the sector in the final months of the year.
Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
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