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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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