In the first quarter of 2021, the total export value of pangasius reached 344.2 million USD, up 3% over the same period in 2020. In which, the export value to the US, China - Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, Colombia, Russia and the UAE all rose.
The US
By the end of March 2021, pangasius export value to the US market reached 71.6 million USD, up 16% over the same period in March last year and accounted for 20.81% of the total export value. Particularly in March 2021, pangasius exports to this market also increased by 23.8%. In the past few years, the US catfish industry is facing difficulties when the area and production of aquaculture have decreased sharply. Therefore, this country increased imports of pangasius products to fill this shortfall. According to sources from some importers, US inventories have been depleted since the beginning of this year, so the demand for US pangasius imports will likely increase gradually in the near future.
China - Hong Kong
Tightening control of imported food for the reason that the corona virus is transmitted through products has caused a bottleneck in exporting pangasius of Vietnamese enterprises to China at the end of 2020. However, according to the assessment of Exporting enterprises, from March 2021, trade activities have been busy again. This is also reflected by the export value to China in March 2021 increased by nearly 28% over the same period last year, reaching 44.4 million USD, the highest export value in the top 10 markets, accounting for 30 .5% of total export value of pangasius. By the end of March 2021, the export value of pangasius to this market reached 69.7 million USD, up 10.3% over the same period in 2020.
CPTPP
The export value of pangasius to this market group is considered to be the most positive in January 2021 when some markets in the group increased imports. However, in March 2021, the import value of pangasius of the CPTPP decreased by 6.2% compared to the same period last year. As of March 2021, the export value of pangasius to this market reached 52.6 million USD, down 5.1%. In which, the export value to some markets decreased: Australia decreased by 2.3%; Singapore down 9.4%; Japan fell 21%.
Russia
Russia is a market that attracts a lot of attention on the picture of Vietnamese pangasius exports in the first 3 months of this year. This market used to be a potential traditional market of enterprises in the past 10 years. However, with a different import policy compared to other markets, pangasius exporters to this market also experienced many ups and downs. In the first three months of this year, this market stands out for the growth of pangasius imports up to 126.3 percent over the same period last year, reaching 10 million USD (after the UK market). Particularly in March 2021, the export value to this market reached 4.46 million USD, up more than 700% over the same period last year.
Thus, Vietnam's pangasius exports in the first 3 months of this year have begun to gradually revive after a year of being interrupted by Covid-19 and crisis in some major markets. However, if only looking at this growth rate, pangasius exporters are not optimistic because right from the beginning of this year, input costs have increased sharply, shipping costs have also skyrocketed ... strongly affecting costs and prices of pangasius companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
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