China – the U.S
These are the two largest importing markets of Vietnamese pangasius in the last 3 years and are frequently replaced by each other in the leading position. In the past two years, the export value of Vietnamese pangasius to China rocketed, many pangasius export companies rushed to this market. As a result, China replaced the U.S to rank the 1st in the top 10 markets of Vietnam pangasius.
In the first eight months of this year, the export value of Vietnamese pangasius to China - Hong Kong reached US$332.5 million, up 34.4% over the same period last year and accounted for 23.5% of total exports. However, since June 2018, the speed of exports to this market tended to decrease. The US-China trade war made many pangasius enterprises see the opportunity to promote exports to the U.S.
With the U.S market, by the end of August 2015, the export value of pangasius to this market reached US$321.2 million, up 34.2% over the same period last year and stayed as the second largest importing market of Vietnam (behind China - Hong Kong). However, with a more positive expected export growth in QIV/2018, the U.S returned to the leading position. Since June 2018, when pangasius enterprises decreased their attention to the Chinese market, the export value of pangasius to the U.S increased with an average export value of US$50 - 66 million per month. In particular, in August 2018, the export value of pangasius to the U.S reached US$65.9 million, up 256% over the same period in 2017.
The EU
Notably, from June 2018, the export value of pangasius to the EU began to increase gradually with the average monthly export value from US$21-25 million. This is a good signal after 3 consecutive years of exporting pangasius to this market faced difficulties. After many times being smeared in some big export markets in Europe, the export value of pangasius to this market has fallen sharply, especially for the whole of 2017. By the end of Aug 2018, the export value to the UK market decreased by 5.5% over the same period last year, while that to other three large single market in the block including the Netherlands, Germany and Italy increased by 37%; 0.5% and 75.5%, respectively. It is forecasted that this positive growth will continue until the end of 2018. In the first eight months of this year, the total export value of pangasius to the EU reached US$160.1 million, up 15.4% over the same period before.
ASEAN
In 2018, pangasius exports to ASEAN market were stable, even quite good. By the end of August, the total export value hit US$129.3 million, an increase of 41.9% over the same period of 2017. Of these, sales to the three largest importing markets including Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines rose by 43.6%; 26.7% and 43.6% respectively over the same period last year. Especially, this year, the export value to the two potential markets in the ASEAN market (Singapore and the Philippines) increased continuously.
Mexico - Brazil
In 2017, pangasius exports to these two markets had offset the decline in some major export markets, but this year, exports to Mexico and Brazil decreased. In August, the value of pangasius exports to Mexico decreased by 22.5%; to Brazil by 27.3% compared with August 2017. By the end of August, the total export value to these two markets decreased by 8.1% and 30.8%, respectively, over the same period last year.
(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.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(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.
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
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