Currently, a draft of the Decree on pangasius production and export has been developed by authorized agencies in cooperation with stakeholders, including fish farmers and companies, in order to set up a legal framework for production and trading activities in the industry.
According to the draft, production of commercial pangasius has to satisfy these following requirements: fish farms have to be under the production planning approved by provincial People’s Committees; fish farms are required to be registered with local aquaculture agencies on farming area, time for farming and fish output. By December 31st 2014, all fish farmers are obligated to be certified to meet VietGAP standards or other international standards recognized by Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Fish exporters must own processing plants meeting requirements regulated in the Decree. Or they have processing or supply contracts with export companies having processing facilities which meet the mentioned requirements.
Developing a sustainable pangasius value chain
In addition to a new legal framework, a community project on sustainably developing Vietnam pangasius industry, titled “Establishing a Sustainable Pangasius supply chain in Vietnam” (SUPA) has been carried out by Vietnam Cleaner Production Centre (VNCPC) in cooperation with Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), WWF Vietnam and WWF Austria on August 2nd 2013. The project is realized in the 2013 - 2017 period with total investment of nearly EUR2.4 million.
SUPA focuses on strengthening the capacity of Vietnam pangasius industry towards a more responsible production in order to improve the quality of products, mitigate environmental impacts, as well as reduce production costs. The project also shares information and offer technical assistances to medium and small enterprises and household fish farmers to help them apply current sustainable standards like ASC and GlobalGAP, enhancing competitiveness of Vietnam pangasius products in the global market.
Truong Dinh Hoe, VASEP’s General Secretary, shared that SUPA planned to set up a model fish farm to bring modern technologies to local farmers, leading to cost-effective production. A training centre will also be established in Can Tho University to provide farmers with training courses on fish breeding, quality control and market information gathering. In particular, fish farmers are trained to undertake negotiations with foreign buyers to gain business profits.
By the completion of the project, at least 70 percent of the beneficiary companies will reach their target to develop medium and large pangasius production and processing chains; 30 percent of small feed processors and fish farms involve in Resources Efficiency and Cleaner Production (RE-CP) method. Furthermore, there will be at least 50 percent of project-participing companies will be able to provide the EU and other markets with sustainable pangasius products meeting standards like ASC.
“Currently, many foreign importers are interested in pangasius products certified by ASC and GlobalGAP. Since the end of December 2012, some retailers in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, the U.K. and Italy have stopped sourcing more pangasius fillets from importers to prepare for the introduction of ASC-labeled fish products into these markets. This is great opportunity for Vietnamese pangasius companies to develop their market shares in European countries, increasing the prices for exported fishes,” said Mr. Hoe.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
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