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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU maintained positive growth momentum in 2025, several new regulations related to animal welfare are transitioning from “ethical recommendations” to mandatory requirements, likely reshaping the shrimp supply chain for this market from 2026 onwards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $989.5 million in November 2025, up 64.6% year-on-year. The robust monthly performance played a pivotal role in driving the total export turnover for the first 11 months of 2025 to $10.5 billion, representing a 19% increase compared with the same period in 2024.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s crab exports reached USD 81 million in the first 11 months of 2025, with the United States accounting for more than 82% of total value. While newly imposed reciprocal tariffs and the enforcement of provisions under the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) pose significant challenges for Vietnam, the European Union is emerging as a promising growth market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Environment has recently issued a plan to develop specialized crab raw material zones serving official export channels, covering a scale of around 50,000 hectares. This marks a significant shift in the sea crab industry towards professional production aligned with market requirements.
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