In particular, there are many markets with a sharp increase in pangasius imports in the past month. Exports to China increased by 26%, reflecting the inevitable trend of the market after the removal of the zero Covid policy. By the end of February, pangasius exports to China reached nearly $73 million, down 8% compared to the same period in 2022, due to a sharp decrease in January.
China imports pangasius through 23 provinces of Vietnam. The top 5 localities that import the most pangasius from Vietnam are Guangdong (accounting for 30%), Shandong and Shanghai both accounted for 12%, Tianjin and Zhanjiang both accounted for 10%.
In 2022, China imported over 253 thousand tons of pangasius from Vietnam, up 71%
In 2022, China imported over 253 thousand tons of pangasius from Vietnam, up 71% compared to 2021. The average import price was at 2.4 USD/kg, up 25%. In which, the highest import prices are in Guangdong, Hubei and Anhui, reaching 2.6 - 2.7 USD/kg.
Beside China, pangasius exports to other markets in February recorded a double digit growth such as the UK (increased by 79%), Colombia (increased by 38%), German (84%), Belgium (90%). Some markets even grew by triple digits such as Saudi Arabia ( up 110%), Portugal (up 90%), Iraq (332%).
However, the decline trend still occurs in many important markets. Pangasius exports to the US went down by 59%, Brazil by 23%, Thailand by 29%, Mexico by 11%.
Nevertheless, the cumulative export of pangasius in the first 2 months of the year still grew by 38% and recorded sales of 240 million USD.
Nevertheless, the cumulative export of pangasius in the first 2 months of the year still grew by 38% and recorded sales of 240 million USD. Only a few markets (UK, Germany, Singapore and Portugal) maintained a positive growth rate of 6-81%. Germany is showing the most positive signal, accounting for 2.6% of pangasius exports, a sharp increase compared to the proportion of 0.9% in the same period last year.
Pangasius exporters are looking forward to positive signals in Chinese, some European countries such as the UK, Germany, Portugal and the Middle East markets. However, exports will not be able to make a strong breakthrough. In the coming months, import demand may increase compared to the beginning of the year, thanks to trade and promotion programs such as fairs and conferences that will promote exports, but export prices will not be as high as in 2022.
Regardless of economic difficulties in 2023, pangasius will still be a suitable choice for consumers in many countries around the world.
Forecast on Vietnam pangasius industry in 2023 - 2025
Compiled by Thuy Linh
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
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