From 2020 to now, China has maintained its position as the No. 1 pangasius import market of Vietnam, surpassing the US market. Compared to the Vietnamese pangasius import markets, China has always maintained the highest growth rate, with sales increasing by more than 2 times over the same period last year. It is estimated that in October, pangasius exports to this market reached about 64.2 million USD, an increase of 105% compared to the same period in 2021. In which, the export of frozen pangasius fillets/portion to this market accounted for 75% with over 48 million USD. Whole fresh/frozen pangasius accounted for over 24%, reaching nearly 16 million USD.
By the end of October, the export of frozen pangasius fillets to China reached over USD 489 million, up 115%, the export of fresh/frozen pangasius HS code 0303 reached over USD 163 million. Estimated volume of frozen pangasius fillets exported to China by the end of October was about 215 thousand tons.
The average price of frozen pangasius fillets (HS code 030462) exported to the Chinese market in the first 9 months of 2022 reached US$2.28/kg. In which, the average export price in September reached the highest level since the beginning of the year, with 2.73 USD/kg. Market demand increased in the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter to serve orders and consumption during the Lunar New Year and year-end festivals while the supply of raw materials decreased, causing the export price to increase higher in this period.
China has supassed the US to be the No1 destination for Vietnamese pangasius exports
In the first 9 months of 2022, Vietnam had more than 400 enterprises exporting pangasius to the Chinese market. The leading enterprises in this market include Vinh Hoan Corp, accounting for over 16% of pangasius turnover to China, Bien Dong Seafood accounting for nearly 6%, Van Duc Tien Giang Food, Navico and I.D.I Corp both accounted for 5%. Enterprises that are also in the top 10 pangasius exporters to the Chinese market include DATHACO, GODACO Seafood, TG FISHERY, Cadovimex II and Ntsf Seafoods.
China's zero Covid policies have affected the country's economic industries, including the seafood industry. Fishing and aquaculture volume have been reduced because of the country's Covid control regulations. Therefore, China has to increase imports from other countries to make up for the shortfall in output for domestic consumption and for the export processing sector.
The Covid pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have caused rising sea freight rates and inflation, creating challenges for Chinese seafood importers and exporters. Therefore, with an advantage in geographical position, Vietnamese seafood will be the preferred choice of these mainland importers, especially pangasius products.
Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced that he will not immediately ease the zero-COVID policy, so the Chinese international trade will certainly not be able to recover as before the pandemic.
However, the regulation of Covid testing in imported goods has also been relaxed from July 2022, which means that exporters will not be suspended from exporting if there are traces of corona virus on imported products or product packaging. Therefore, Vietnamese seafood exporters still have opportunities to promote exports to the Chinese market. China will continue to be the main and potential market for Vietnamese pangasius products this year and next.
|
Top 10 Vietnamese pangasius exporters to China (Jan-Sep/2022) |
|
|
Company |
Proportion (%) |
|
Vinh Hoan Corporation |
16.2 |
|
BIEN DONG SEAFOOD |
5.8 |
|
VDTG FOOD |
5.0 |
|
NAVICO |
5.0 |
|
I.D.I CORPORATION |
5.0 |
|
DATHACO |
3.4 |
|
GODACO SEAFOODS |
3.1 |
|
TG FISHERY |
3.0 |
|
Cadovimex II |
2.9 |
|
NTSF SEAFOOD |
2.6 |
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
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