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) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 498 million in October 2025, up 26% from the same period last year. This is one of the highest monthly revenues since the beginning of the year, reflecting solid demand in major markets and faster shipment schedules by exporters. From January to October, shrimp export value reached USD 3.9 billion, up 22% compared to the same period in 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 31, 2025, the US Court of International Trade (CIT) officially issued an order to suspend the case filed by the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), the National Restaurant Association (NRA), and several US seafood companies against the US Government concerning the implementation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang’s fisheries sector has maintained stable growth momentum during the first nine months of 2025, making an important contribution to the province’s socio-economic development. Despite facing numerous challenges, the province is implementing various measures to enhance production efficiency, expand markets, and promote sustainable fisheries development toward deeper integration into the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius export value in September 2025 reached USD 181 million, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. The overall trend for the pangasius industry remains positive, with total exports in the first nine months of 2025 reaching nearly USD 1.6 billion, an increase of 9% year-on-year.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
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