China – Hong Kong
In the first 7 months of 2019, the total export value of pangasius to the China - Hong Kong market reached US $ 320 million, up 10.4% over the same period in 2018. In particular, in July 2019, the export value to this market grew incredibly by 71.1% compared to the same period last year despite the decrease of 19.1% in pangasius export value to Hong Kong.
The US-China trade war has caused Chinese exports to be working slowly. The move of devaluing the Reminbi of China to boost exports and reduce imports also reduces the amount of goods entering this market.
After many years with positive growth rate, Vietnamese pangasius exports to this market fell in 3 months (in the first 7 months of this year).
Moreover, the plan to "localize" Chinese pangasius is also being encouraged and invested by the Government of this country. It is forecasted that in the second half of this year, Vietnam's pangasius exports to China - Hong Kong still grew positively but will not reach the expected level.
The US
In July 2019, pangasius exports to the US reached US $ 25.6 million, down 56.2% over the same period in 2018. By the end of July 2019, the total value reached US $ 167.6 million, down 34.3% compared to the same period in 2018. Although, the US still ranked second in the top largest importer of Vietnamese pangasius. But from now until the end of 2019, pangasius exports to this market will be difficult to escape the negative growth and will continue to decrease in the coming months. Many technical and commercial barriers in this market are being set up for many supplieres of whitefish, including both China and Vietnam.
EU
In July 2019, pangasius export value to the UK market began to decline and slow down markedly. This market is considered to be a great potential in this region with high selling prices in addition to favor high quality products. By the end of July 2019, pangasius export value to the UK market - the second largest market in the EU reached US $ 33.3 million, up 36.3%, in July 2019 alone, the value decreased by 10% compared to with the same period in 2018. Also during this period, in July 2019, pangasius export value to the largest market in the region decreased by 28.3%. Pangasius exports to Germany and Belgium in the first 7 months of this year grew well at 39.6% and 32.5% respectively, over the same period in 2018. Thanks to positive growth in export value in some individual markets, so the total export value of pangasius to the EU in the first 7 months was US $ 156.7 million, up 12.6%.
Other markets
In the first 7 months of 2019, pangasius exports to ASEAN, Mexico and Japan went up by 4.6%; 13% and 7.7% respectively, but exports to Brazil and Colombia dropped by 18.6% and 25.4% respectively over the same period in 2018. It is forecasted that in the second half of the year, the growth rate in these large potential markets will remain the same as in the first half.
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
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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