This unexpected decline is the consequence of the fact that in 2020, exporting to this market faced many obstacles for example the COVID-19 epidemic. Right from the beginning of 2020, the late return of Chinese seafood processing factories and the disruption of trade due to the coronavirus made the export value of pangasius to this market suddenly decrease. Since the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third quarter, activities to this market became more bustling, preparing for the National Day of China. In October 2020, the export price of frozen pangasius to China - Hong Kong suddenly increased to 2.52 USD/kg, which was higher than the same period last year and much higher than the other months of the year, ranging from 1.55 - 1.65 USD/kg. This price was lower than the previous quarter. But then, the policy of disease control across the border and at ports and border gates for all imported food products made not only Vietnamese pangasius but also many other imported seafood products of other countries stagnant.
Vietnamese pangasius exporters mainly export the following pangasius products to China - Hong Kong: Frozen fillet pangasius, frozen pangasius stomach, fried/dried fish bladder, frozen butterfly-cut whole pangasius, frozen pangasius belly, cut/sliced skin on pangasius fillets, frozen portion cut pangasius fillets, frozen seasoned pangasius fillets, frozen whole pangasius H&G ...
In 2020, there were nearly 145 enterprises exporting pangasius to the Chinese market, 40 enterprises exporting to Hong Kong market, of which, the 3 enterprises with the largest export value to the Chinese market during this period were: IDI Corp; VINH HOAN Corp and TG FISHERY. The three largest pangasius exporters to Hong Kong market were IDI Corp, VINH HOAN Corp and VDTG FOOD.
|
Top 15 largest pangasius exporters to China in 2020 |
|
|
No |
Exporter |
|
1 |
I.D.I Corporation |
|
2 |
Vinh Hoan Corporation |
|
3 |
TG Fishery |
|
4 |
GODACO Seafood |
|
5 |
Cadovimex Seafood Im-Ex and Processing Joint Stock Company |
|
6 |
Cat Tuong Seafood Processing Co., Ltd |
|
7 |
Hungca Co., Ltd |
|
8 |
NAVICO |
|
9 |
NTSF Seafoods Joint Stock Company |
|
10 |
Van Duc Tien Giang Food Export Company |
|
11 |
Hoang Long Seafood |
|
12 |
Vinh Tien Seafood One Member Co,, Ltd |
|
13 |
Co May Im-Ex Co,, Ltd |
|
14 |
Cuu Long Fish Joint Stock Company |
|
15 |
Phuc Tam Loi Fisheries Im-Ex Co., Ltd |
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp and pangasius continued to lead growth, helping seafood exports reach $4.67 billion in the first five months of the year; however, differentiation among product groups and increasingly stringent requirements from importing markets are posing many challenges for the industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Every day, the seafood processing industry in Ca Mau generates large quantities of shrimp heads and shells during processing operations. In the past, these by-products were largely treated as waste, increasing production costs and posing potential environmental risks. However, thanks to advanced processing technologies, materials once considered waste are now being transformed into high-value products, creating a circular economy model within the seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam Clean Seafood Corporation has invested in a 280-hectare super-intensive shrimp farming zone in Tran De Commune, Can Tho City, generating export value of approximately VND 3 billion per hectare per year—around 50 times higher than traditional agricultural production.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.02 billion in May 2026, up 0.6% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 4.67 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same period in 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In a rapidly changing global seafood market, timely insights and reliable data are more critical than ever. The Report on Vietnam Seafood Exports in Q1/2026 provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in Vietnam’s seafood production, trade performance, and export trends, helping businesses navigate uncertainty and identify new growth opportunities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While many major markets continue to experience slow growth, Russia has emerged as a brighter destination for Vietnamese tuna exports in early 2026. Export turnover to this market increased by nearly 55% in the first four months of the year, indicating a clear improvement in demand. Nevertheless, Russia remains a market that should be viewed with both optimism and caution.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports reached USD 49 million, up 151% compared to the same period in 2025. This impressive growth reflects positive momentum in the tilapia sector, with Brazil emerging as a key driver of growth, while frozen tilapia fillets continued to be the industry's leading export product.
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