This was a remarkable result in the big market of Vietnamese seafood as Japanese consumers previously were not "willing" to consume aquaculture products, they prefer to import products from the sea. Japan is one of the biggest importers with high prices and being very particular. Vietnamese pangasius is gradually discovering the "secrets" of this market's taste.
In 2011, the export value of pangasius to Japan was only US$2.56 million, accounting for 0.14% of Vietnam export value of pangasius. This was a very modest number in the proportion of Vietnam's pangasius exports. In the period of 2017-2018, the export value of Vietnamese pangasius to Japan was 9 times and 12 times higher than in 2011 respectively. This shows that pangasius enterprises still persisted to conquer the fastidious market and realized great potentials in this market.
Back in 2008 when the Vietnam - Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) was signed on December 25 and came into effect on October 1, 2009. This was the first bilateral FTA of Vietnam, in which both Vietnam and Japan offered more incentives to each other than the ASEAN - Japan FTA. Regarding the general commitment, within 10 years since the Agreement came into effect, Vietnam committed to liberalize about 87.66% of trade turnover and Japan committed to liberalization with 94.53% of trade turnover. At that time, Vietnam - Japan pangasius trade was still not outstanding.
However, from April 2019, according to the EPA tariffs of Japan Customs, fresh/chilled pangasius catfish (including pangasius) - HS code 030432 imported from Thailand, Mexico, Chile and Philippines were exempted from import tax. These products from ASEAN and CPTPP (TPP 11) were applied 3.5% and 0% tax rate respectively. Vietnamese frozen fillet pangasius products (HS 030462) exported to Japan was completely exempted from import tax.
Thanks to The ASEAN – Japan Free Trade Agreement and Vietnam - Japan Free Trade Agreement, some Vietnamese seafood products exported to Japan have been removed from the tariff barrier. With CPTPP, many seafood products that have not yet been committed to abolishing taxes in these two FTAs will also enjoy 0% tax when exported to Japan. Some seafood products will enjoy the tax rate of 0% as soon as the agreement comes into effect, including pangasius products that are being imposed tax of 3.5-10.5%. Thus, with advantages from 3 FTAs with Japan, Vietnam Pangasius enterprises have more opportunities to further increase pangasius exports to Japan market.
Japanese are afraid of the strong smell of freshwater fish products. In addition, the comparation between the quality of freshwater fish/ farmed fish or marine species in the past made Japanese people rarely import freshwater fish products. However, there are many Vietnamese pangasius enterprises that have started to "get acquainted" and "understand" about the seafood consumption tastes of Japanese.
Eel is a premium product in Japan with prices up to more than US$24/pc. However, Japanese eels are facing the risk of depletion due to overfishing. Therefore, Japanese enterprises have imported Vietnamese pangasius to process into a dish with the same flavor as Japanese eel with a price of one third. In 2017, pangasius had a good effect on Japanese consumers thanks to this dish.
By the statistics of optimistic growth of Pangasius exports to Japan market, VASEP said that there was great potential for Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to conquer this market. Currently, Japan has officially entered the top 10 largest pangasius importers of Vietnam in the first 3 months of 2019.
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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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
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