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.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached US$189 million, down 8% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached US$22 million, down 28%. This trend indicates that U.S. demand for pangasius imports has remained relatively cautious this year, as importers tend to maintain moderate inventory levels and limit stockpiling.
(vasep.com.vn) After three days at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 – has successfully concluded, leaving a strong impression in terms of scale, visitor numbers, the quality of business connections, and innovative activities. With more than 14,000 m² of exhibition space, 335 companies, 568 booths, participation from representatives of 17 countries and territories, and nearly 15,000 visitors, VIETFISH 2026 has once again affirmed its role as an important meeting point for Vietnam’s and the global seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Held as part of Vietfish 2026 from August 19–21 at SECC in Ho Chi Minh City, a series of five specialized seminars provided the seafood business community with updates on markets, technology, standards, human resources and cooperation opportunities. With the participation of experts, international organizations, government agencies and businesses from Vietnam and abroad, the seminars created an additional platform for professional exchange alongside the exhibition’s product showcases and business networking activities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the morning of August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – VIETFISH 2026 officially opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. With 568 booths representing 335 companies, alongside the presence of senior government officials, local authorities, diplomatic missions and international partners, VIETFISH 2026 kicks off three days of business networking, technology exchange and market engagement under the overarching theme “Innovation and Sustainability.”
The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) officially announces that the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (Vietfish 2026) will take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports recorded strong growth in the first half of 2026, but the performance was increasingly uneven across products, markets and enterprises. VASEP’s newly released premium report provides the detailed data and analysis needed to understand what lies behind the headline figures and prepare for the more challenging months ahead.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Brazil remains one of the key markets for Vietnamese pangasius in South America. However, exports to the market showed signs of slowing in the first half of 2026, while frozen pangasius fillets continued to account for the overwhelming majority of exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Marking 27 years of supporting Vietnam’s seafood industry, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition (VIETFISH 2026) will officially return from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City, on its largest scale ever. Under the core theme “Innovation – Sustainability,” the event promises to provide a comprehensive picture of the transformation of Vietnam’s seafood industry toward greater value addition and sustainable development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than three weeks remaining, the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially take place from August 19–21, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Under the theme "Innovation – Sustainability," Vietfish 2026 will provide a comprehensive networking platform for seafood businesses, buyers, distributors, industry experts, government agencies, and domestic and international visitors.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the technical seminar “Green and Sustainable Technology Solutions for the Aquaculture and Seafood Processing Value Chain” will take place from 09:30 to 11:45 on August 20, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. The seminar is jointly organized by VASEP, the Department of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, focusing on technological innovation and sustainable transformation across Vietnam’s seafood value chain.
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