China - Hongkong: Since the end of February and early March 2020, pangasius export to this market has just started to recover and grow again after Chinese processing factories returned to work. By the end of April 2020, the total export value of pangasius to the China - Hong Kong market reached US$111.1 million, down 20.2% compared to the same period in 2019. Particularly the export value to the Hong Kong market down 24.6% over the same period in 2019. Thus, up to this point, China - Hong Kong was still the largest importer of Vietnam pangasius enterprises, accounting for 24.7% of the total export value.
Until March and April 2020, although Chinese customers have begun to import again, mainly to stockpile because the enterprises of these countries worry that they will not be able to import more goods if Vietnam carries out the social isolation for an indefinite period. Moreover, after reopening post-COVID-19 production, Chinese people are still worried about eating outside or many restaurants still are closed after the pandemic, consumption at this channel is slow because buyers mainly buy via online system or supermarket. Some Chinese customers also offered to reduce the purchase price.
The US: After increasing by 26.4% compared to the same period of 2019 in March, in April 2020, the export value of pangasius to this market decreased by 20.7% compared to the same period in 2019. So far, the US has been the most hard-hit country in the world by COVID-19, its production activities face many difficulties. Food and aquatic product processing factories are facing labor difficulties. Therefore, pangasius export to the US in April 2020 slumped again. By the end of April 2020, pangasius export value to the US market reached 74.6%, down 14.6% over the same period in 2019.
ASEAN: By the end of April 2020, pangasius export to ASEAN reached US $53 million, down 24.4% compared to the same period in 2019. Thus, up to this point, ASEAN has been the third-largest importer of Vietnam pangasius (after China - Hong Kong and the US), accounting for 11.8% of total pangasius export value. Notably, in April 2020, pangasius exports to ASEAN declined, of which, exports to the largest importer in the region, Thailand also fell by nearly 30%; exports to Malaysia dived by 31% but the export value to Singapore spiked by 127, 6% over the same period in 2019. By the end of April 2020, pangasius exports to Singapore also rose by 12.7% compared to the same period in 2019. This was the market with the largest positive growth rate among the top 10 largest importers of Vietnam.
EU: After China, the EU was the second market heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in major importing markets in the bloc such as Italy, Spain, and the UK ... Lockdown measures in some countries such as Italy caused a sharp decline in seafood consumption demand because business activities of restaurants, hotels, and schools were closed. The stagnant of business activities caused seafood distributors to reduce prices, affecting the price of imported seafood. Therefore, in the first 4 months of 2020, pangasius exports to the EU faced many difficulties. By the end of April 2020, the export value of pangasius to this market reached US $48.3 million, down 36%, of which, exports to the three largest importers in the bloc: Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium all decreased, respectively: 29%; 31% and 38.8%.
With the complicated situation of COVID-19 pandemic in major export markets such as the US, EU, Brazil ..., it is difficult for pangasius exports in Q2 to escape negative growth. In the 3rd quarter, if the pandemic situation in some epidemic central countries is controlled, production and business activities reopened, the pangasius export will have a chance to recover.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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