In 2019, the US-China trade war did not bring benefits for Vietnamese enterprises at US market as forecasted. The US continued to impose high antidumping duties. Futhermore, inspection catfish program that list Vietnam as a country eligible to export Siluriformes fish and fish products to the US was released later than the US statement.
Although tilapia imports into the US from China decreased significantly due to high import tax, this did not affect the proportion of pangasius in the country's seafood import structure.
In 2019, the value of pangasius exports to the US decreased in 11 consecutive months compared to the same period in 2018. Many businesses withdrew from this market due to difficulty in exports.
|
Catfish importers of the US, Jan-Nov/2019 |
|||
|
Importers |
Kg |
USD |
|
|
China |
Frozen catfish (Ictalurus) fillets |
3,582,707 |
18,022,730 |
|
Frozen catfish (Ictalurus) |
21,956 |
58,080 |
|
|
Frozen pangasius fillets |
618,588 |
3,002,468 |
|
|
Frozen other catifish (Siluriformes) fillets |
19,731 |
92,793 |
|
|
Chilled catfish (Silurus, Clarias) fillets |
19,731 |
116,580 |
|
|
Total |
4.262.713 |
21,292,651 |
|
|
Taiwan |
Chilled catfish (Silurus, Clarias) fillets |
33,256 |
174,343 |
|
Total |
33,256 |
174,343 |
|
|
Thailand |
Frozen NSPF catfish fillets |
7,140 |
14,832 |
|
Frozen NSPF catfish |
4,182 |
18,947 |
|
|
Total |
11.322 |
33,779 |
|
|
Vietnam |
Frozen pangasius fillets |
48,397,504 |
193,142,334 |
|
Frozen pangasius |
561,448 |
1,596,839 |
|
|
Frozen other catifish (Siluriformes) fillets |
27,104,995 |
106,287,417 |
|
|
Frozen NSPF catfish fillets |
23,950 |
106,128 |
|
|
Frozen NSPF catfish |
22,970 |
64,484 |
|
|
Total |
76,110,867 |
301,197,202 |
|
|
Total (Acummulated in the first 11 months of 2019) |
80,418,158 |
322,697,975 |
|
|
Imports total in 2018 |
121,086,824 |
546,550,622 |
|
|
Source: US Department of Commerce |
|||
Due to the impact of reduced import demand and domestic raw material prices, so the average export price of pangasius to the US market in 2019 also decreased, from US$ 4.73/kg at the beginning of the year to about US $2.85/kg.
About 30 enterprises exported pangasius to the US market in 2019, of which, the three largest enterprises were: VINH HOAN CORP, BIEN DONG SEAFOOD and VD FOOD LTD. At the end of 2019, the US's USDA officially announced the recognition of pangasius management and supervision system of Vietnam equivalent to that of the US, creating better conditions for exporters exports pangasius to the US.
According to the plan of the Food Safety and Inspection Department (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture, in March 2020 (from 2nd -13th), FSIS's Food Safety Inspection Team will conduct the inspection, assessing the food safety and hygiene control system of pangasius farms, processing plants, food safety management agencies in the Mekong Delta. However, due to the complicated spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, the plan was postponed.
Due to the disruption of pangasius exports to Chinese market in the first months of 2020, Vietnam enterprises are working hard to seek and promote exports to new markets. The disease situation is affecting the trade of seafood, but it is also a good opportunity for businesses to enhance exports amid seafood consumption (including pangasius) is increasing sharply in the US as consumers are storing more food to cope with the disease situation.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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