Opportunities for pangasius export brought by Vietnam - Mercosur FTA

The US is the top import market for Vietnamese shrimp and tuna and ranks as the second largest for pangasius (tra fish).

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil is a promising market for Vietnamese seafood, with exports reaching nearly $130 million in 2024, primarily driven by pangasius. High consumption demand, domestic supply shortages, and relaxed import standards create significant opportunities. Vietnam can leverage competitive pricing, bilateral trade cooperation, and MERCOSUR negotiations to expand market share.

As the EU strengthens its controls on inorganic arsenic in imported seafood, Vietnamese exporters are being warned not to be complacent and are actively adjusting to maintain market access, with enhanced quality control measures to ensure compliance.

(vasep.com.vn) According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam's total fishery output in the first quarter of 2025 is estimated at 1,993.4 thousand tons, an increase of 2.8% compared to the same period last year. Of this, fish accounted for 1,480.3 thousand tons (up 2.9%), shrimp reached 202.4 thousand tons (up 4.6%), and other fishery products totaled 310.7 thousand tons (up 1.5%).

Vietnam’s pangasius industry is poised for a promising outlook in 2025, driven by rising export demand. According to a Rabobank report, pangasius is among the fastest-growing seafood species, with global production projected to increase by 7% year-over-year, reaffirming Vietnam's position as the world's largest producer.

Sao Ta Foods (stock code: FMC) has set a target to sell 22,000 metric tons of shrimp this year and has outlined a proactive strategy to address risks related to anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations in the U.S. market.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s exports of shelled mollusks recorded impressive growth in the first two months of 2025, reaching USD 41 million—an increase of 132% compared to the same period in 2024 (USD 18 million).

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in the first two months of 2025, Vietnam's shrimp exports recorded positive signs with strong growth in a number of important markets, of which lobster exports to China increased sharply.

In recent years, the agricultural and environmental sectors and localities in the province have created favorable conditions to develop and effectively maintain seafood chains, increasing income for people in rural areas.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs, the country’s pangasius exports regained growth momentum in February 2025. Export value reached USD 150 million, marking a 66% increase compared to February 2024. Cumulative pangasius export revenue for the first two months of the year totaled USD 284 million, up 11% year-on-year.