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
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
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