In Jan 2016, China was the 3rd largest importer of Vietnam pangasius with over US$17 million, up 33.2% year on year, accounting for 11.5% of the total pangasius exports by Vietnam (after the U.S. and the EU).
According to statistics of the International Trade Center (ITC) based on the figures of Chinese Customs, in the first 10 months of 2015, imports of whitefish products into China were relatively stable, in which, frozen Alaska Pollock imports hit the highest proportion of 40-65%; followed by frozen Cod with 25-43%, frozen Haddock with 6-7%, pangasius and catfish with 1.5 - 4%. Despite a remarkable increase in pangasius exports to China in 2015, China’s demand for Vietnam pangasius are still high.
In 2015, Russia was the largest supplier of whitefish to China and occupied 60-70% of total imports, in which Vietnam ranked the 4th (behind China, the U.S. and Norway). Last year, China continued to import frozen Cod, frozen Alaska Pollock, frozen Haddock, frozen Hake from Russia.
|
Whitefish imports into China (Jan-Oct 2015) (US$ thousand) |
||||||
|
HS |
Products |
QI 2015 |
QII 2015 |
QIII 2015 |
Oct 2015 |
Jan-Oct2015 |
|
030363 |
Frozen Cod |
109,744 |
145,595 |
113,408 |
34,088 |
402,835 |
|
030367 |
Frozen Alaska Pollock |
281,032 |
254,477 |
106,759 |
18,115 |
660,383 |
|
030364 |
Frozen Haddock |
29,560 |
27,251 |
17,353 |
3,907 |
78,071 |
|
030462 |
Frozen pangasius and catfish fillets |
4,976 |
6,407 |
11,385 |
3,009 |
25,777 |
|
030366 |
Frozen Hake |
1,655 |
3,415 |
10,573 |
1,383 |
17,026 |
|
030475 |
Frozen Alaska Pollock fillets |
643 |
1,840 |
3,334 |
- |
5,817 |
|
030494 |
Frozen Alaska Pollock loins |
2,027 |
2,277 |
2,198 |
983 |
7,485 |
|
030324 |
Frozen pangasius and catfish |
638 |
679 |
1,354 |
537 |
3,208 |
|
030471 |
Frozen Cod fillets |
297 |
372 |
350 |
16 |
1,035 |
|
030461 |
Frozen Tilapia fillets |
174 |
- |
79 |
- |
253 |
|
Source: ITC |
||||||
In the Chinese market, Vietnam pangasius made up a small proportion compared with some whitefish products from Russia. China’s demand for whitefish products, including pangasius is expected to continue the increase in 2016. Vietnam pangasius exporters still have many opportunities to export pangasius to the market. Despite exposing many risks, this is considered a promising market of Vietnam pangasius.
Besides, drop in exports to some major markets as the U.S., the EU and increase in exports to China in 2015 was a good diversion. However, keeping the quality of products for export should be the first priority to overcome difficulties and develop sustainably in Vietnamese companies.
In 2015, amid a drop in exports to some major markets as the U.S., the EU, Vietnam pangasius exporters shifted to China. Vietnam pangasius enterprises always give priority to ensure the quality of their products for export to overcome difficulties and develop sustainably.
Written Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
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(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
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