Pangasius exports to Iraq reach 3-year high

News 09:14 01/11/2024 Lê Hằng
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, pangasius exports to Iraq have surged significantly in the first nine months of 2024, marking the highest levels seen in three years. This upward trend has positioned Iraq as a key market for Vietnamese pangasius, even surpassing Iran, traditionally regarded as a gateway for trade between Vietnam and the Middle East.

In September 2024, the export turnover for pangasius to Iraq reached nearly $1.8 million, reflecting a remarkable 155% increase compared to the same month in 2023. The cumulative value of pangasius exports to Iraq during the third quarter of 2024 alone totaled nearly $5 million, a staggering 111% rise from Q3 2023. Notably, the total pangasius export value for the first nine months of 2024 reached $11 million, an impressive 127% increase over the same period last year, and nearly 1.5 times the total export value for all of 2023.

Product Preferences and Market Dynamics

Unlike many of Vietnam’s other pangasius import markets, Iraq has shown a strong preference for dried fish products and other frozen options, such as whole fish and cut portions. In the first three quarters of 2024, exports of these products to Iraq amounted to $8 million, representing a 245% increase from the previous year and accounting for 73% of total exports. Meanwhile, frozen pangasius fillets contributed nearly $3 million in export value, reflecting a more modest growth of 19% year-over-year, and making up 27% of total pangasius exports to the country.

Iraq serves as a significant market and a longstanding trading partner for Vietnam. Despite being one of the world's largest oil exporters, Iraq's aquaculture industry is relatively underdeveloped. The primary freshwater fish species include various Barbus species and carp, primarily sourced from domestic waters and the Persian Gulf. The lack of an industrial fish processing sector means that most fish consumed in Iraq are fresh, with fishing contributing only a small fraction to the country's GDP.

Remarkably, despite geographical challenges and ongoing regional conflicts, Iraq's demand for Vietnamese pangasius products continues to grow. This resilience suggests a robust opportunity for further expansion in this market.

Leading Exporters

Among the exporters, Cuu Long An Giang Seafood Import-Export Joint Stock Company stands out as the leading supplier of pangasius to Iraq, capturing an impressive 60% share of the

The substantial increase in pangasius exports to Iraq underscores the potential for growth in this market, driven by specific consumer preferences for dried and frozen fish products. As Vietnam continues to strengthen its presence in the Middle Eastern seafood market, companies will need to adapt to local demands and navigate the complexities of the regional trade environment to maximize their opportunities.

Bạn đang đọc bài viết Pangasius exports to Iraq reach 3-year high tại chuyên mục News của Hiệp hội VASEP
iraq

TIN MỚI CẬP NHẬT

Vietnam’s Canned Tuna Exports Decline in 2025, Seeking Growth Momentum for 2026

 |  09:09 28/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.

Crab Exports in 2025: Opportunities in the EU, Major Challenges from the U.S. MMPA Regulations

 |  09:15 26/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.

Vietnam’s Tilapia Fillet Exports Surge, with the U.S. and Brazil Leading the Market in 2025

 |  09:00 24/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.

Shrimp seed quality: A decisive factor for successful shrimp farming

 |  10:33 22/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.

Quang Tri promotes organic golden pompano farming

 |  10:23 20/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.

VASEP published Report on Vietnam seafood exports in 2025

 |  11:00 11/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.

Ca Mau’s shrimp-rice model proves effective in climate change adaptation

 |  09:28 09/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.

Lam Dong tightens fishing vessel management in decisive crackdown on IUU fishing

 |  15:02 06/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Can Tho’s fishery output hits nearly 783,000 tons in 2025.

 |  15:12 04/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.

Pangasius exports in 2025 exceed USD 2 billion, with strong growth in multiple markets

 |  16:26 02/02/2026

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.

VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM

Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội

Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO

Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu

Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn

Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh

Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn

VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội

Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn

© Copyright 2020 - Mọi hình thức sao chép phải được sự chấp thuận bằng văn bản của VASEP

DANH MỤC