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) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
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