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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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