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.
(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
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