Japan consuming more pangasius from Vietnam

News 11:12 10/10/2014
(vasep.com.vn) Currently, export to Japan still represented a little part of Vietnam’s total pangasius shipments. The increasing import of pangasius into Japan over the recent years shows that the market is eyeing this kind of fish.

 

Japanese people love eating traditional food like sushi, sashimi, tempura and udon that are mainly processed from seafood such as salmon, tuna and shrimp. Most restaurants in Japan only serve some traditional dishes while marine fish are so popular in the market with a stable supply. Therefore, it would be difficult for pangasius to become one of daily foodstuff of Japanese households.

In contrast, pangasius value-added products, especially the breaded items, have surprisingly attracted many Japanese visitors to Japan Foodex 2013 in early March.

Some Vietnamese exhibitors said that breaded pangasius and other value-added products have great potential in Japan. It is important to speed up national advertising and promotion programs to develop this kind of products in the market.

Japan is buying more pangasius but its purchase of other seafood products dropped in recent years. Through the middle of March 2013, pangasius import from Vietnam valued at US$535,190, 2.76 percent up from the compatible period of 2012, referring to Vietnam Customs.

Fish and fish products are traditionally indispensable in Japanese people’s food culture; the country always has a high seafood demand for its domestic consumption.

However, Japanese purchase is slowing down and even got drop in some groups of fish like frozen fish (HS code 0303), live fish (HS code 0301). Some others, including frozen fish fillets (HS code 0304) reported just a slight rise in import.

According to statistics from the International Trade Center (ITC), frozen fish fillets imported into Japan in 2012 totaled 503,266 MT while they were 491,489 MT in 2011.

Among Japan’s suppliers of frozen fish fillets (HS code 0304) in 2012, the U.S. was the leading one with 117,990 MT, followed by Norway with 65,146 MT. Vietnam only ranked the seventh with 24,930 MT, up from 23,991 MT in 2011.

Of frozen white meat fish fillets imported into Japan, pangasius volume was much lower than other white meat species like Alaska pollock, cod and haddock. It only ranked before tilapia. However, some producing countries have been cutting catch quota of some white meat fish to protect natural stocks; therefore, pangasius may have a chance to gain more market shares to become the leading white meat fish in the Japanese market in terms of volume.

Like the EU and U.S. markets, Japan is seeking for sustainable fish supply. Greenpeace’s market survey said that most Japanese people want to consume fish that are sustainably caught or produced and clearly labeled, so that they can get information about what they buy. With this rising trend, sustainable-labeled pangasius is hoped to have more advantages when entering into Japanese market.

 

Import of seafood (HS code 03) by Japan, MT

HS code

Products

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

0303

Frozen fish

861,680

810,897

832,579

783,189

776,140

0304

Frozen fish fillets

468,878

395,888

445,551

491,489

503,266

0306

Crustacean

278,756

270,815

262,942

263,259

270,921

0307

Mollusk

217,326

222,091

221,871

217,872

211,196

0302

Fresh fish

77,074

79,287

70,204

65,378

72,571

0305

Dried fish

17,748

17,530

18,236

18,895

19,536

0301

Live fish

26,624

21,453

25,192

18,912

14,037

Bạn đang đọc bài viết Japan consuming more pangasius from Vietnam tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP: Elaborating certain articles and providing measures for the organization and guidance of implementation of the law on foreign trade management

 |  17:01 07/09/2026

On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.

Vinh Hoan’s Cured Panga Croquette Wins Top Prize at Seafood Excellence Asia 2026

 |  16:11 04/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.

Global Shrimp Forum 2026: bringing the global shrimp value chain together to find new paths for growth

 |  13:22 02/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.

Vietnam’s shrimp industry: changing to maintain its competitive edge

 |  07:59 01/09/2026

(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.

What Did the World Say About VIETFISH 2026?

 |  11:19 27/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.

Food safety control for Vietnam’s exported tilapia

 |  09:04 24/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.

International B2B at Vietfish 2026: Connecting Global Buyers with Vietnamese Seafood Businesses

 |  10:15 21/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.

U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlights opportunities for U.S.–Vietnam seafood cooperation at VIETFISH 2026

 |  13:29 19/08/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.

Only 1 day to go: Vietfish 2026 officially opens tomorrow at SECC

 |  09:46 18/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.

Vietfish 2026: Discover the potential of Vietnamese tilapia at booth B1209

 |  17:16 14/08/2026

(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.

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

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC