The total export value of pangasius reached US$ 1.21 billion, down more than 26% over the same period in 2019 by the end of October 2020. In the top 10 largest pangasius export markets of Vietnam, the UK has still been a bright spot with a consecutive positive growth from the beginning of the year.
China-Hongkong
In the first 10 months of this year, the total export value of pangasius to this market reached US$ 428.3 million, accounting for 35.3% of the total pangasius export and down 18% over the same period in 2019. Although the export value has decreased since the Covid-19 pandemic, since October 2020, the import demand of the market has been active again, importers actively import goods even during National Day holidays. This move was also a reason for the pangasius raw material price in the Mekong Delta and the average export price to increase. In October 2020, the number of pangasius enterprises exports to China rose, the export value to this market reached US$ 80 million, accounting for 47% of the total pangasius export. However, so far, the inventory of white fish and tilapia products of Chinese seafood enterprises has been still high since export activities also were affected. Consequently, the Government of this country may issue a number of policies to reduce seafood imports in the coming time.
The US
In October 2020, pangasius export value to this market sank slightly by 4.8% compared to the same period in 2019, reaching US$ 23.3 million. By the end of October 2020, the total export value of pangasius to this market reached US$ 196.7 million, down 15.5% over the same period in 2019. In 2020, the US economy and politics were much more volatile, so the seafood suppliers for this market did not expect much of the sudden growth in the last months of the year. It is anticipated that, in 2020, the value of pangasius exports to the US market might decrease by over 15% compared to 2019.
ASEAN
Although not heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic like the US or some European countries, ASEAN's demand for whitefish imports from February until now has been slow. In many countries, pangasius imports are lower than in the same period in 2019. By the end of October 2020, the total export value of pangasius to ASEAN reached US$ 113.3 million, down nearly 31% over the same period in 2019. In which, exports to Thailand dived by 25.6%; Singapore down by 4.9% and Malaysia diminished by 28%.
The UK
The UK is the highlight of the picture of pangasius export in 2020. By the end of October 2020, there were 10 consecutive months of positive export value growth in this market. The UK was the only market among the top 10 major markets that have not declined due to Covid-19. In October 2020, the export value of pangasius to the UK reached US$ 5.36 million, up 58% over the same period in 2019. By the end of October, the total export value reached nearly US$ 57 million, up 29.3% over the same period in 2019. This year, the number of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises exported to the UK market was higher than that of EU countries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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