Trade – a fair business …?
Pangasius is being «pushed away» from EU and US
It is competing with other whitefish cod, sole, haddock and pollock – with a lower price
Markets access for pangasius is claimed to be thwarted both by industry and media
Called «the whitefish wars» – due to among others claimed neg. environmental impact
Pangasius has been «framed» by negative claims – i.e. an alternative reality has been communicated and perceived
Rebuttals both by Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) – and down the road by WWF (after first having added to the neg. publicity), have had little effect – so far.
WTO has formed a dispute panel to try to settle the differences between Vietnam and US
In the meantime, the Vietnamese sector has been working hard and pangasius is finding new markets in China, elsewhere in Asia and in Latin America.
Will Vietnam be «Third time lucky?» asked Gorjan Nikolik, Rabobank, at North Atlantic Seafood forum in Bergen earlier this year (Tom Seaman, Undercurrent News).
Supplies of whitefish from aquaculture
2017 – A moderate increase from 2016; Farmed whitefish
- A slow growth of Tilapia - China not contributing to growth….
- Increase for Pangasius & catfish-species – Vietnam not contributing
EU Imports of Pangasius
Frozen filles from Vietnam
Continiues decline since 2010 in EU
Markets for Pangasius in EU
Pangasius – US Imports (Vietnam)
Frozen fillet presentations
Dramatic shift in direction of trade flow
Vietnamese Pangasius (Mill USD)
Estimated supplies of whitefish in 2018
Estimated change in supplies of whitefish from aquaculture – 2017 to 2018 (by species)
Outlooks 2018 for selected Whitefish species
Marginal total volume growth – BUT shift towards more Aquaclture
- Farmed whitefish driving - «only a marginal» growth …
- Decrease in cod supply & pollock supply, - following cut in quotas
Outlook
2018; +5% increase in supplies of whitefish from aquaculture - -3 % from fisheries
Local markets AND China absorbs and steadily larger share of whitefish from aquaculture
Still significant drop in supplies of pangasius to EU and US - large volumes are routed to China and Hong Kong
Trends:
The growth in production in Asia will slow down
South-/Latin-America and Africa will be the growth regions
The Asia markets will continue to be strong – the flow of goods will «turn».
Europe need external seafood supplies
The EU seafood trade balance deficit is increasing – and –
EU pays more for the imported seafood year by year!
«Third time lucky…»(?) - and so what…?
Nikolik, Rabobank, criticized the pangasius sector for having a non-differentiated, basic product – competing «only» on price….?
Judged by reports from the Chinese market this might be changing – pangasius fillets are regarded as high quality products – sought for by Chinese consumers
However, differentiation and marketing is likely still a relevant focus to pursue!
Frame it – Market it – tell the story – in your own way – AND, expect what to come… because there will be health issues (for the fish), potential health risks (for the consumers) and potential environmental risks down the road
AND further, let us hope for a change to a more ethical and fair trade situation as discussed by Little et al. in Marine policy (2012) – both from a regulatory point of view, AND with respect to mass media.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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