Vietnam’s Pangasius exports to Spain fell in February and April compared with the same months of last year. Other months were reported with positive growth rates, and dramatic increase in May, June and July.
Spain’s economic recovery increased household spending sharply. Higher demand for imports created favorable conditions for pangasius and other seafood products from Vietnam. In 1H 2014, Spain imported 713.5 thousand MT of seafood with total value of US$ 3.14 billion, up 8.9% yoy. Imports of fish (fillets or cut, fresh / chilled / frozen) HS code 0304 products reached 103 thousand MT, valued at US$ 419 million, up 11% in volume and 16% in value over the same period of 2013.
Vietnam is Spain’s second largest supplier of fish fillets (HS 0304), accounting for 11% of the market shares, after Namibia (with 19% of market shares). Frozen pangasius fillets is one of the most imported seafood by the market. The hake and pollock products are also the most consumed.
Frozen catfish and pangasius fillets are imported to Span from Vietnam, China and Intra-Europe. Upto 90% of these products are from Vietnam.
Approximately 40% of pangasius products are distributed through traditional wholesalers and agents; another 40% are sent to chain stores and 10% sold in major supermarkets.
The common type to be sold in Spain retail market is skinless and boneless frozen pangasius. Common sizes for pangasius products are 120 -170 gram/pc, 170 - 220 gram/pc and 220 gram/pc. A bag of defrosted portion pangasius has 1-5 fillet pieces. They can also packed in 500 gram bags or 200 – 400 gram boxes.
Mercamadrid, Mercabana and Mercavalencia are largest consumption markets in Spain, accounted for 34%,19.5% and 14.5%, respectively.
|
Top 10 fresh/chilled/frozen fish fillets suppliers to Spain in 2013-2014 (MT) |
||||||||
|
Sources |
QI/2013 |
QII/2013 |
QIII/2013 |
QIV/2013 |
QI/2014 |
QII/2014 |
QI+QII/2014 |
Change (%) |
|
World |
44,134 |
48,343 |
48,709 |
46,972 |
48,444 |
54,252 |
102,696 |
11.1 |
|
Vietnam |
8,795 |
9,535 |
8,638 |
6,924 |
9,321 |
9,926 |
19,247 |
5.0 |
|
Namibia |
5,879 |
11,668 |
9,090 |
6,490 |
6,828 |
9,454 |
16,282 |
-7.2 |
|
China |
7,027 |
5,014 |
6,768 |
5,462 |
7,545 |
7,214 |
14,759 |
22.6 |
|
US |
3,315 |
2,757 |
2,744 |
4,329 |
4,819 |
5,019 |
9,838 |
62.0 |
|
Argentina |
1,683 |
2,080 |
3,521 |
6,187 |
1,433 |
4,224 |
5,657 |
50.3 |
|
Netherlands |
4,782 |
4,249 |
3,822 |
4,789 |
5,134 |
3,835 |
8,969 |
-0.7 |
|
Iceland |
2,306 |
2,198 |
1,581 |
2,140 |
2,937 |
3,230 |
6,167 |
36.9 |
|
South Africa |
1,291 |
889 |
1,256 |
1,708 |
1,123 |
1,871 |
2,994 |
37.3 |
|
Portugal |
1,189 |
1,226 |
3,903 |
1,251 |
991 |
1,315 |
2,306 |
-4.5 |
|
Source: ITC |
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Le Hang
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture, capture fisheries, and seed production activities in Lam Dong in the early months of 2026 continued to show positive signs, with both output and farming area slightly increasing compared to the same period, contributing to maintaining overall industry stability.
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