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.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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