Key single markets: China regains growth momentum
Exports to China & Hong Kong reached USD 73 million in October, up 19% year-on-year. After a slowdown in September, the market has firmly resumed its upward trajectory, confirming a clear rebound in Chinese import demand, especially ahead of the year-end consumption peak.
In contrast, the United States recorded $29 million, down 17% from the same month last year. The Brazilian market reached USD 15 million in October, up 1% - a modest but notable rebound after a decline in September. The United Kingdom continued its sharp decline, with exports dropping to $4 million, down 33% year-on-year.
CPTPP and EU Markets: Growth with clear divergence
The CPTPP region, pangasius exports in the first ten months of 2025 reached $305 million, surging 36% year-on-year and now accounting for 17% of total pangasius exports. By market, Mexico reached $63 million (+1%), Japan hit $39 million (+14%) and Malaysia posted a strong 37% increase, signaling expanding demand in the region.
In the EU, total export value for the first ten months reached $149 million, up a modest 3%. Traditional markets such as the Netherlands and Germany continued to contract, while Spain posted strong 22% growth. This divergence underscores markedly different consumption patterns across EU member states.
Value-added products continue upward trend
During the first 10 months of 2025: frozen pangasius fillets (HS0304): nearly $1.5 billion, up 11% year-on-year. Other frozen/ whole/ dried pangasius (excluding HS0304): $315 million, virtually flat (+0.1%). Processed/ value-added pangasius products: $44 million, up 19%, accounting for 2.4% of total export - a strong potential for value-added items within Vietnam’s pangasius export structure.
After a subdued Q3, October delivered encouraging signs as several major markets began to turn positive, while others remained weighed down by inventories and seasonal import cycles ahead of the holidays.
In Q4/2025, some large markets may continue to weaken as demand has not yet fully recovered. The single most critical catalyst for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026 will be the outcome of POR20 in the United States: a confirmed 0% countervailing duty for Vietnamese exporters would significantly boost importer confidence. However, the lingering 20% reciprocal tariff will continue to pressure margins, reinforcing the urgency of market diversification.
The strategic direction for Q4/2025 and 2026 will be expanding exports to CPTPP members (Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, the UK) and the Middle East, where Vietnam benefits from tariff preferences and more favorable market access conditions. The EU is also expected to maintain growth, supported by more flexible technical regulations for farmed products, creating additional room for deeply processed pangasius items.
If Vietnam fully capitalises on these tariff advantages market-shifting opportunities, the pangasius sector stands an excellent chance of sustaining its recovery momentum and achieving durable, long-term growth in 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United States (1995–2025). In parallel with the nation's progress in international economic integration, bilateral seafood trade has followed a remarkably impressive growth trajectory, expanding from an initial scale of just tens of millions of US dollars to nearly $2 billion annually. This growth has positioned the United States as Vietnam’s largest seafood export market for many consecutive years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 12, 2025, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Export (VASEP) issued document 231/CV-VASEP regarding strengthening measures to combat IUU fishing and working with the Government to lift the EC's IUU yellow card warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Tilapia is easy to farm and provides high economic and nutritional value, making it a sought-after export commodity in many countries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in the first 10 months of 2025 recorded significant progress, reaching more than USD 9.5 billion, up 15% year-on-year. This result reflects the sector’s persistent efforts amid a highly volatile market, especially policy shocks from the US Although signs of slowdown emerged in the third quarter due to countervailing taxes, key product groups still maintained strong momentum and created a foundation for full-year exports to reach USD 11 billion.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s agreement with the United States on a framework for reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade—reached during the 2025 ASEAN Summit in Malaysia—has generated strong optimism for Vietnamese exports, including tuna. Numerous positive points in the joint statement have raised high expectations for Vietnamese export goods, but turning these expectations into tangible benefits remains a long and challenging journey.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the conference on “Linking the Production and Consumption Chain of Ca Mau Crab 2025,” Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee Lê Văn Sử posed a central question: how to shift the province’s crab exports toward official trade channels, instead of relying heavily on small-scale border trade with China as currently practiced.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The whitefish market in Japan is showing a clear divergence among supplying countries, in which Vietnam continues to affirm its role as a stable and high-potential exporter. Vietnam currently ranks third after the US and Russia in whitefish export value to Japan. Thanks to tariff incentives and the ability to meet Japan’s strict standards, Vietnamese pangasius continues to record a stable and positive growth trend.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The People's Committee of Ca Mau Province has just issued a plan to expand the super-intensive, low-water-exchange, biosecure white-leg shrimp farming model (RAS-IMTA) for whiteleg shrimp farming to a scale of 1,500 hectares, aiming to develop high-tech, sustainable and environmentally friendly shrimp farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company (HNX: SGC) plans to issue over 7.1 million shares to raise nearly 465 Billion VND for Hoan Ngoc M&A Deal.
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