Although pangasius exports in September were still twice as high as in the same period in 2021, it was the lowest level since the beginning of the year. This trend covers all major import markets.
Inflation and currency devaluation in many import markets have reached a deep stage and have a heavy impact on middle- or low-income consumers, causing them to tighten their spendings. Inflation reduces demand for even moderately priced food items such as pangasius, which used to be affordable for the vast majority of consumers .
Even the Chinese market, which is considered to be the most optimistic destination for pangasius enterprises in the last months of the year showed signs of decrease. Vietnam’s pangasius exports to this market in September was lower than in August, despite recording a high growth of 190% over the same period last year.
In September 2022, China imported Vietnamese pangasius with a value of $49 million, significantly lower than $64 million in August. The import demand for frozen pangasius fillets and whole pangasius both declined . By the end of the third quarter of 2022, this market accounted for nearly 30% of Vietnam pangasius export value with nearly 590 million USD, up 111% over the same period last year.
In which, export of pangasius fillets accounted for 75% with 441 million USD, the rest was whole pangasius, frozen cut. Although the market's import demand is still very high and has almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, the depreciation of the Rmb to a 30-year low against the USD also has a strong impact on importers. They are also more cautious when buying from abroad.
Inflation started affecting imports of pangasius in different markets
The US and EU markets are more difficult when inflation in the US is at the highest level in the past 40 years. The price situation in the US continues to increase strongly, which will lead to the possibility that the US Federal Reserve will continue to sharply increase interest rates to control inflation and further make the dollar fluctuate strongly, affecting global trade.
Vietnam's pangasius exports to the US in September, although increased by 41%, but still lower than in August. By the end of the third quarter, Vietnam's pangasius imports to the US reached US$454 million, up 83% over the same period and accounting for 23%. In which, frozen pangasius fillets accounted for 96% with USD 437 million, value added processed pangasius accounted for 2.2% with nearly USD 10 million, the rest was frozen whole pangasius accounting for only 1.6%.
With the EU market, although there are more than two months until Christmas, the price of fish in this market has increased. Some fish that were once cheap, such as hake, are now being sold in fish shops and supermarkets at 30% higher. The reason: rampant inflation, electricity and fuel prices skyrocketed, which directly affected the cost of transporting and storing fish products. The Euro also fell to a 20-year low against the USD, further contributing to reducing the demand for fish in the EU market, including pangasius. Therefore, pangasius exports to the EU in September decreased by 3 million USD compared to August. By the end of September 2022, this market imported Vietnamese pangasius with a value of nearly 160 million USD, double that of the same period in the same period last year.
Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the UK is also struggling with price inflation and soaring energy costs, so the UK economy faces the risk of a prolonged recession. The Pound also fell to its lowest level since 1985. Vietnam's pangasius exports to the UK in the first 9 months of the year reached nearly 50 million USD, up 30% over the same period, mainly thanks to a strong recovery in the second quarter, but in the third quarter, pangasius imports were lower than in the previous months. Although pangasius exports in the last quarter of the year may not be as positive as in the first months of the year, it is forecasted that pangasius exports in 2022 will still be able to reach about $ 2.5 billion, a remarkable record of the Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
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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