According to ITC statistics, Japan’s whitefish imports in the first eight months of 2025 continued to show positive growth. The US remained the largest supplier, followed by Russia and Vietnam.
Pangasius is becoming increasingly popular in the Japanese market
For Vietnamese pangasius, total export value to Japan reached USD 34 million in the first nine months of 2025, up 14% compared to the same period in 2024. In September alone, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to Japan increased by 12% compared with September 2024, indicating rising import demand, especially as wild-caught species such as pollock and cod are facing pressure from reduced catch volumes due to tightened quotas.
Frozen pangasius fillets remain the main export item to Japan, reaching nearly USD 30 million in the first nine months, up 11%. Meanwhile, the value-added pangasius category grew strongly by 47%, reflecting strong consumer demand in Japan for this product line. Export value of other fresh, frozen whole pangasius and cut products also increased by 39%, showing an expansion in the export structure in the Japanese market.
In the structure of whitefish consumption in Japan, pangasius fillets currently rank second only to Alaska pollock fillets, becoming an increasingly popular substitute in the processed food industry, restaurant chains, and supermarkets.
This growth partly comes from the CPTPP Agreement, which helps Vietnamese pangasius receive tariff preferences, thereby achieving a more competitive price compared with other imported products. Especially as Japan’s economy slows down, consumers tend to choose products that are reasonably priced, have stable origins, and are easy to prepare.
Not only popular in supermarkets, Vietnamese pangasius has just been added to the menu of the Kura Sushi restaurant chain — one of Japan’s well-known sushi brands. The appearance of pangasius sushi affirms the position of Vietnamese seafood in this demanding market, as Vietnamese pangasius can meet strict standards on food safety, farming practices, and processing.
Competitive pressure from Russia and the need for product diversification
However, competitive pressure is increasing as Russia shows clear intentions to boost seafood exports to Asian markets, including Japan, to compensate for declining exports to Europe. If supply from Russia increases, especially processed products from pollock and cod, the competitive price gap may narrow.
In this context, Vietnamese enterprises are recommended to strengthen diversification of value-added products and invest in convenient product lines such as portioned fillets, breaded products, ready-to-cook packaged products, or those processed for foodservice. At the same time, enterprises need to enhance and meet quality certifications and standards on traceability and transparency in production processes to consolidate credibility with Japanese importers, aiming for stable and long-term development in this market.
With stable growth momentum, tariff support from the CPTPP Agreement, and the shift toward sustainably farmed seafood, the Japanese market remains a potential destination for Vietnamese pangasius. Developing deeply processed products not only helps expand market share but also enhances the brand value of Vietnamese seafood in the global supply chain.
(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.
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