In 2018, Vietnamese pangasius enterprises increased exports to the two largest importers which were UAE and Egypt to maintain growth in the Middle East region. In the first half of 2019, export value to those markets showed signs of decline and leveled off. In particular, the UAE continued to be the largest importer of pangasius from Vietnam, however, the value of Vietnam pangasius exports to this market declined by 27.9% compared to the same period in 2018. The Egyptian market was still the second largest importer, yet the export value only reached US$18 million in the first 6 months of 2019, up slightly by 4.63% year on year. Export value to most of the other markets all went down. Exports to Iran, Israel, Jordan and Lebanon slip by 57.7%; 10.5%; 10% and 10.9% respectively, compared to the first 6 months of 2018.
Reducing imports in some markets, yet pangasius exporters still strive to boost pangasius export to some other potential markets, notably Bahrain and Qatar. In the first half of 2019, pangasius export value to these two markets rose substantially, Brahrain rose by 209.8% to US$14.9 million and Qatar climbed by 109.8% to US$2.26 million. In addition, exports to Kuwait market also increased by 13.3%.
In the top 10 largest pangasius importers of Vietnam, ASEAN and Middle East are considered to be important and noteworthy for Vietnam pangasius exporters. But until now, the Saudi Arabia market has not yet been reopened. Pangasius enterprises are still waiting for positive moves from Saudi Arabia to resume export activities normally.
Currently, the UAE is a potential market of some Southeast Asian pangasius suppliers, including Indonesia. Indonesia has realized the export potential in the Middle East region and intends to compete with Vietnamese pangasius when launching the Indonesian pangasius brand in the UAE - the gateway market in this region.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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