The US
In 2018, the total value of Pangasius export to the US market reached US$549.4 million, an increase of 59.5% compared to 2017, accounting for 24.3% of total Pangasius export of Vietnam. Particularly in December 2018, Pangasius exports to this market increased tremendously by 124% compared to the same period last year, reaching US$55 million. With a steady increase and bigger growth, up to the end of October 2018, the US market has returned to the No 1 position of Vietnam Pangasius export. First of all, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) issued a preliminary conclusion of the 14th anti-dumping tax review (POR14) for the period from August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2017 for Vietnamese Tra and Basa fish products exported to the US market. Accordingly, the preliminary tax rates for two mandatory defendants were US$0/kg and US$1.37 / kg. The tax rate for voluntary defendants was US$0.41/kg and the national tax rate was US$2.39/kg. These tax were much lower than the final result of the POR13 review of US$3.87/ kg. Although this was only a preliminary tax rate, it has generated goodwill for Pangasius export enterprises to the US market. Besides, the fact that FSIS recognized Vietnam's catfish control system equivalently to that system in the US. The trade tensions between China and US were also the opportunity for Vietnamese Pangasius to gain market share from Tilapia into a big importer such as the US.
China - Hongkong
By the end of 2018, the value of Pangasius export to the Chinese market reached US$528.6 million, up 28.7% over the previous year, accounting for 23.4% of total export of Pangasius. Although last year, the growth of Pangasius export to China - Hong Kong market has "cooled down" compared to 2 years ago. However, this is still considered a potential and large export market of Vietnamese pangasius export enterprises.
EU
In 2018, exporting pangasius to the EU market has prospered again after years of gloom with export value to this market reached US$243.9 million, up 20.2% over the previous year, accounting for 10.8% total export of pangasius. Thus, the EU is the third largest exporter of Vietnamese Pangasius exporting enterprises (after the US and China - Hong Kong). The four largest importers in the region were Netherlands, England, Germany and Belgium experiencing a very good growth with increasing by 33.4%; 5.9%; 10.5% and 11.8% respectively over the previous year.
Currently, Pangasius products are competing with tilapia and Alaskan pollock in some key markets in Europe. The replacement of pangasius products in some market segments is taking place across Europe with varying degrees. According to CBI, Germany and Poland are suppliers to Central and Eastern European countries, where there is no large import port. According to statistics in 2017, €45 million of frozen pangasius was re-exported within the EU. These countries included the Netherlands (€31 million ), Belgium (€14 million) and Germany (€ 8 million). This is a good signal for Vietnamese Pangasius in these markets.
ASEAN - UAE
At the end of December 2018, Pangasius export to ASEAN markets reached US$202.6 million, up 41.5% compared to 2017. Export to the three largest markets of Thailand, Singapore and Philippines increased positively by 48.8%; 20.7% and 32.1% respectively compared to 2017. In 2018, Pangasius export to ASEAN had many advantages and high demand especially in the "emerging" market of the Philippines.
An increasing bigger market in the Middle East, exporting pangasius to the UAE surged 108.5%, reaching US$48.1 million during 2018. Since the beginning of that same year, export value to this market has grown on three digits. Forecasting in 2019, exporting Pangasius to this market will continue to grow positively because of high demand for stable imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a fairly strong upward trend in 2025, Vietnam’s clam exports entered 2026 with a mixed picture: strong growth at the beginning of the year, followed by a slowdown from March onward. According to Vietnam Customs data, Vietnam’s clam export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached more than USD 38 million, up 2% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
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