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) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
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