Latest data from International Trade Centre (ITC) showed that in the first 6 months of 2014, Canada imported 4,306 MT of frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam, up 25.79% year on year.
Reportedly, in 1H 2014, 42 thousand MT of frozen fish fillets (code HS0304) were imported in Canada, up 5.5% year on year. Particularly, 15,800 MT was from China, another 6,293 MT was from Chile and 6,204 MT was from Vietnam. China was the top exporter of frozen fish fillets (HS0304 code) to Canada but had the lowest growth rate at 4.7%. Chile had the highest growth rate of 27.67%, followed by Vietnam with 10.98%.
According to some Vietnam seafood enterprises, many other seafood products also have export potentials to this market. With imports reaching US$ 500 billion annually, Canada is an attractive and competitive market.
“Seafood, cashew nuts, coffee, shoes, bags, umbrellas, furniture, spare parts are main export products from Vietnam while imports are mainly machinery, equipment and tools. Since this is a fiercely competitive market, exporters should note that importers can easily find a substitute. Any single mistake can lead to failure.”, said Mr. David Devine, Canadian Ambassador in Vietnam, at the seminar "Exports to Canada " held by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Canadian Trade Agency and Embassy of Canada in Vietnam on 14th October 2014.
Building customer trust is considered crucial, starting from a customer-oriented website, available contacts and products with proper designs and on time deliveries. Precise information and follow-ups, traceability and transparency in production process are all needed for businesses to success in exporting to Canada.
To achieve goals for bilateral trades, state agencies such as the Ministry of Industry and Trade, VCCI and relevant associations should enhance their trade promotion activities. Exchange visits between the two countries to establish business relationships are also needed.
|
Imports of Vietnam pangasius fillets and frozen catfish to Canada (Unit: kg) |
||||||
|
Source |
Q1/2013 |
Q2/2013 |
Q3/2013 |
Q4/2013 |
Q1/2014 |
Q2/2014 |
|
Vietnam |
1,533,054 |
1,827,154 |
2,261,123 |
2,977,645 |
1,825,274 |
2,397,993 |
|
US |
32,370 |
24,104 |
23,993 |
30,456 |
11,706 |
394,86 |
|
China |
0 |
7,300 |
25,310 |
0 |
5,527 |
12,000 |
|
Guyana |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Hong Kong |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
12,000 |
0 |
|
Myanmar |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,222 |
0 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture, capture fisheries, and seed production activities in Lam Dong in the early months of 2026 continued to show positive signs, with both output and farming area slightly increasing compared to the same period, contributing to maintaining overall industry stability.
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