Pangasius exports to major markets in 2025
In December 2025, pangasius exports to China reached USD 60 million, surging 25% year-on-year and accounting for nearly 30% of total monthly pangasius exports. For the whole of 2025, pangasius exports to China totaled nearly USD 560 million, up 2% compared to 2024.
Exports to the United States in December amounted to USD 17 million, down 37% year-on-year, indicating that demand in this market has yet to recover. For full-year 2025, pangasius exports to the US reached USD 325 million, down nearly 6% compared to 2024. The combined impact of a 20% retaliatory tariff and high inventory levels has continued to weigh on pangasius export performance in this market.
In December 2025, pangasius exports to the EU reached USD 16 million, up 2% year-on-year. Although the increase was modest, it is still considered a positive signal at the end of 2025. For the full year, exports to the EU totaled USD 175 million, down slightly 1% compared to 2024.
In 2025, pangasius exports to Brazil reached USD 176 million, posting a strong 36% increase year-on-year. In December alone, exports to this market reached USD 18 million, up 65% compared to December 2024, making Brazil one of the fastest-growing pangasius markets of the year.
In the final month of 2025, exports to CPTPP member countries rose 30% year-on-year. Within this bloc, pangasius exports to the UK reached USD 6 million (+12%), Mexico reached USD 7 million (+3%), and Japan reached USD 4 million (+33%). For the full year 2025, pangasius exports to CPTPP markets increased 34%, reaching USD 367 million, with key contributors including Mexico (USD 77 million), the UK (USD 60 million), and Colombia (USD 56 million).
In 2025, pangasius exports to ASEAN reached USD 203 million, up 20% compared to 2024. In December alone, exports to this region reached USD 16 million, up 8% year-on-year. Meanwhile, pangasius exports to the Middle East totaled USD 176 million in 2025, up 19% year-on-year, with December exports also reaching USD 16 million, an 8% increase compared to the same period last year.
Product structure
In 2025, export value of pangasius products under HS 0304 (frozen fillets and portions) reached nearly USD 1.8 billion, up 9% compared to 2024, continuing to account for the largest share of total pangasius export turnover. Exports of fresh/frozen/dried whole pangasius (HS 03, excluding HS 0304) reached USD 377 million, down 0.7% year-on-year. Meanwhile, exports of processed and value-added pangasius products (HS 16) reached nearly USD 51 million, up 8% compared to 2024, although their share remains relatively modest.
Outlook for Vietnam’s pangasius industry in 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports are expected to continue facing considerable pressure, particularly from the approximately 20% retaliatory tariff imposed by the United States, which reduces the price competitiveness of Vietnamese pangasius in this market. The decline in export turnover recorded in December 2025 suggests that this trend is unlikely to improve in the near term. As a result, accelerating market diversification toward CPTPP countries, ASEAN, and the Middle East is considered a necessary strategy. Strong growth in Brazil is a positive signal, although the market currently mainly imports frozen pangasius fillets.
In addition, while processed and value-added pangasius products have made progress, their development remains below potential. Going forward, enterprises need to step up investment in deep processing, diversify product offerings, and maintain and expand sustainability certifications. These efforts will help enhance product value, meet increasingly stringent international market standards, and lay a solid foundation for stable growth in 2026.
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Market fluctuations, rising production costs, and increasingly stringent requirements from export markets are placing growing pressure on the shrimp industry. In response, Vinh Long Province is promoting high-tech shrimp farming integrated with production–consumption value chains to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and enhance the industry's value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
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