It can be affirmed that, until now, the Middle East is still an important export market of Vietnamese pangasius businesses. In 2017, the Middle East is the fifth largest pangasius export market (following China - Hong Kong; America, EU, ASEAN) with the total export value of 290.4 million US$.
By the end of October 2018, pangasius exports to the UAE market reached 44.56 million USD, witnessing an extremely remarkable increase of 135% compared to the same period last year. During this time, pangasius export value to this market increased continuously from 28-190% compared to the same period in 2017.
In terms of Egypt market, this is also a big export market of pangasius during many years. As of the end of October 2018, Pangasius export to Egypt reached 30.9 million US$, up by 26.4% over the same period last year. It is forecasted that from now until the end of the year, Pangasius export to Egypt market will continue to maintain a double-digit average growth rate.
So far, exporting pangasius to the Saudi Arabian market continues to be "closed". Due to stringent requirements for the approval of the "Halal Breeding Program" for animal products that requires for feeding material and production facilities to have Halal Certification, the process of exporting pangasius to this market has yet been cleared so far.
It can be said that the Middle East is still considered as one of the potential markets of Vietnamese seafood. In addition, the Middle East region is also a place to concentrate and transfer aquatic products to other markets in North Africa and West Asia. At the same time, the Middle East is an important and strategic market of Vietnam. Besides, the standards and technical requirements of the market are not as strict as the US, EU or Japan markets.
Therefore, this is considered a potential area of many markets for white fish in Asia.
Recently, as pangasius prices are rising and demand is stable in the Middle East, Indonesia has launched a pangasius brand with the goal of meeting the increasing demand for farmed fish in these markets. The United Arab Emirates was chosen to launch the brand based on the region's high potential as a gateway to other Middle Eastern markets. Indonesia has seen increasing demand from Middle Eastern countries in recent years, thanks to the tourism industry and the food service industry during Hajj and Umrah activities.
Middle East is a potential market with increase in the average import price in 2018. If the Saudi Arabian market is reopened in 2019, there will be more opportunities for pangasius export enterprises to increase export turnover to this area.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
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