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) Nearly US$1.7 billion is the projected gap in 2029 between the baseline scenario and a scenario in which Vietnam’s seafood exports grow by 10% annually, according to calculations by VASEP to be presented at Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026. This gap raises a key question for the entire industry: Which markets, products and supply chain improvements will generate the additional growth?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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