Among the key markets, China & Hong Kong continued to lead with export value in September reaching $53 million, accounting for 29% of total September exports, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2024. Pangasius export turnover to the US in September 2025 reached $23 million, down 23% year-on-year, but this market still accounted for 13% of total exports in September.
In the EU region, the export value in September reached $14 million, a slight decrease of 1% compared to the same period last year. Developments within the bloc were diversified: while traditional markets like Germany saw a sharp decrease of nearly 23%, Belgium recorded an impressive growth of 67% (compared to September 2024), gradually becoming a bright spot helping to maintain the growth momentum in Europe.
The bloc of markets supported by the CPTPP Agreement recorded an export value in September of $29 million, an increase of 34% compared to the same period last year. Within this market bloc, Japan emerged as a potential market with impressive growth. Total Pangasius exports to the Japanese market in the first 9 months reached $34 million, up 14% year-on-year, thanks to stable demand and preferential tariffs.
Meanwhile, Brazil – the largest market in South America – reached $10 million in September 2025, a decrease of 16% compared to the same period in 2024. Despite the slight decline, Brazil maintained its significant position and still has strong development prospects after Vietnam and Brazil complete the FTA negotiation rounds.
Regarding the product structure, by the end of September, the export value of frozen Pangasius fillet (HS0304 code) continued to dominate at nearly $1.3 billion, equivalent to 98% of total exports, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2024. In contrast, total exports of processed Pangasius (HS16 code) in the first 9 months of 2025 reached $39 million, a strong increase of 23% year-on-year, demonstrating the significant potential of the value-added product segment – although this product still currently accounts for a small proportion (2%).
Overall, September 2025 reflects a short-term adjustment phase for the Pangasius industry after a period of stable growth since the beginning of the year. The slight decrease compared to the previous month is a seasonal factor, as businesses still hold inventory and consumer demand is lower.
In the context of volatile international markets, proactively regulating supply, strengthening chain linkages, developing deep-processed products, and diversifying markets will continue to be strategic directions to help the Vietnamese Pangasius industry maintain a stable position, especially as global import demand is expected to recover strongly in Q4 to serve the year-end holiday season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) More than five years after the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) took effect, Vietnamese seafood is steadily expanding its market share in the United Kingdom, one of Europe’s major seafood import markets with stable and diverse consumer demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At Van Hung Commune, Khanh Hoa Province, the Khanh Hoa Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Aquaculture Research Center and the Van Hung Public Service Center, organized a technical training course on the industrial-scale production of disease-free golden pompano (Trachinotus falcatus) seed for local marine fish farmers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports maintained a strong recovery in the first five months of 2026, reaching more than USD 302 million, up 17% compared to the same period in 2025. Growth was primarily driven by Asian markets, including South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and China, while exports to the United States and the European Union continued to face headwinds from cautious consumer demand and increasingly stringent compliance requirements.
Vietnamese seafood giant Minh Phu Group has inaugurated a VND1.5 trillion (US$57.4 million) seafood processing plant in Ca Mau Province.
(vasep.com.vn) From 19–21 August 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability", Vietfish 2026 continues to serve as Vietnam's flagship annual seafood event, bringing together seafood producers, exporters, importers, buyers, industry experts, government agencies, and stakeholders from across the domestic and global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in May 2026, reaching USD 14 million, up 18% compared with the same month last year. Cumulative export value for the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 62 million, representing a remarkable 101% increase over the same period in 2025, highlighting the sector’s strong recovery in international markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 367 million in the first five months of 2026, down 7% compared to the same period in 2025. While the decline is not yet severe, the more concerning issue is that pressure is mounting in key markets such as the United States and the European Union, just as ocean freight rates are rising sharply on long-haul routes. The current situation is therefore not merely about slower orders, but rather a clear restructuring phase for Vietnam’s tuna industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2026 marks a period of strong growth for Vietnam’s tilapia industry, but it is also a time when international export competition is becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 99 million in 2025, up 140% compared to the previous year. In the first four months of 2026 alone, export value reached USD 49 million, a 151% increase year-on-year. As global demand for affordable whitefish continues to rise, Vietnam is emerging as a noteworthy competitor to traditional tilapia powerhouses such as China, Indonesia, Brazil, and Egypt.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With continued policy support, technological innovation and close coordination among authorities, businesses and farmers, Vietnam’s pangasius industry is expected to make a strong and sustainable breakthrough during the 2026–2030 period, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading exporter of the fish.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to Asian markets showed varying trends across regions and countries. The Middle East recorded strong growth, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the largest Asian market for Vietnamese tilapia. ASEAN markets also expanded significantly, driven primarily by Malaysia. Meanwhile, Japan maintained solid growth, while exports to South Korea declined compared to the same period in 2025.
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