CPTPP and Brazil Expand Market Share
Compared to 2024, the CPTPP (including Japan, Canada, Mexico, Chile, etc.) posted impressive 35% growth in the first nine months of 2025, reaching $271.4 million and lifting its share to approximately 17% of total export value (up from 14% in 2024). This surge reflects both tariff advantages under the trade pact and rising regional demand for sustainably sourced seafood products.
Brazil continues to stand out as a bright spot in South America with pangasius imports from Vietnam surging 45% to $128 million - a 2% increase in market share to 8% of total exports. Thailand also recorded solid growth of 27%, reaching $58.3 million, supported by recovering domestic consumption and re-exports to ASEAN markets.
Traditional markets ease slightly but retain dominant
In contrast, China - Hong Kong, Vietnam’s largest pangasius market, showed signs of stabilization, reaching $409.8 million in the first nine months of 2025 - a modest 2% decline from the same period in 2024. Nevertheless, it still commands nearly 26% of total export value, remaining the cornerstone of Vietnam’s export structure.
Exports to the United States totaled $257.2 million, representing 16% of total turnover, a 2% decline in share year-on-year. This reflects market saturation, intensifying competition from other whitefish species such as Alaska pollock and cod, alongside ongoing tariff-related headwinds. Meanwhile, the EU maintained a stable 8% share, generating $134.2 million - supported by rising demand for convenience foods and a shift away from Russian supplies.
Notably, the “other markets” cluster (Middle East, South Asia and Africa) recorded $340 million, up 3.6%, reflecting Vietnamese firms’ proactive efforts to diversify and mitigate concentration risk.
Vietnam’s pangasius export landscape in 2025 is thus undergoing a clear rebalancing. Traditional powerhouses like China and the U.S no longer hold absolute dominance; while CPTPP, South America and ASEAN are assuming greater significance. This shift highlights Vietnamese exporters’ adaptability - expanding into new markets while investing in value-added products aligned with global green and sustainable consumption trends.
Given current momentum, industry experts forecast a strong rebound in pangasius exports in Q4/2025, driven by year-end demand and early orders for the 2026 Lunar New Year season. However, rising raw material costs may pressure margins, requiring companies to optimize operations and maintain consistent quality to sustain growth.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) – On March 19, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with the European Commission (EC) inspection delegation on combating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, led by Mr. Fernando Andresen Guimaraes, Head of Unit at the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
(vasep.com.vn) Australia is emerging as one of the most stable and promising growth markets for Vietnamese shrimp. Amid global trade disruptions driven by geopolitical tensions—particularly conflicts in the Middle East—strengthening and expanding into stable markets like Australia has become increasingly important for Vietnam’s shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports reached over USD 111 million, up 23% compared to the same period in 2025. This result indicates a positive start for the sector, reflecting early signs of demand recovery in multiple markets from the beginning of the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s fisheries sector maintained positive growth momentum, with shrimp output exceeding 132 thousand tons. This result contributed to a strong increase in seafood export turnover, despite ongoing volatility in the global economy.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports maintained strong growth momentum in February 2026, with many markets recording sharp increases compared to the same period last year. In February alone, export value reached USD 8.4 million, up 148% year-on-year. Cumulatively, in the first two months of 2026, total tilapia export turnover hit USD 23 million, soaring 242% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In global seafood trade, sensory evaluation is increasingly becoming one of the key “technical barriers” in many importing markets-especially the United States. Issues such as filth, and signs of decomposition/spoilage are often detected through sensory evaluation methods and remain common reasons for seafood import alerts, detentions, or shipment rejections.
Shrimp has been the most important export product of Vietnam’s seafood industry for many years, typically accounting for 35–45% of the country’s total seafood export value. With a well-developed farming, processing, and export system, Vietnam has become one of the world’s leading shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, the global food market is facing increasing volatility in logistics costs, energy prices, and supply chains. In the seafood sector, alongside ocean-caught products such as tuna, the surimi-based product group—including fish cakes, crab sticks, fish balls, and other imitation seafood products—has also been affected to some extent by these developments.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2026 brackish-water shrimp farming calendar issued by the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the 2026 crop started in early January and is expected to harvest in late June. However, stocking progress has been slower than planned as farmers remain cautious, focusing on pond renovation and production preparations.
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