By contrast, raw pangasius prices at the end of 2025 "tend to decrease with sizes over 1kg/piece falling to around 19,500-19,700 VND/kg.
Pangasius production in 2025 is estimated at approximately 1.65 million tonnes, remaining stable or slightly decreasing compared to 2024 due to tightened supply in the second half of the year. Meanwhile, pangasius export turnover by the end of November 2025 officially surpassed $2 billion, up about 9% year-on-year. Full-year exports are forecast to exceed $2.1 billion.
The Association also noted that pangasius farming in the Mekong Delta remains resilient and stable despite challenges such as environmental pollution, disease outbreaks, pathogens and the impacts of climate change. This result is attributed to the reorganization of production and the proactive adoption of advanced technologies to improve productivity and efficiency. The industry is currently undergoing a restructuring process to enhance value added rather than focusing solely on output volumes.
However, climate change has intensified disease risks and degraded water quality (low water levels in upstream provinces and saltwater intrusion in coastal provinces), thereby increasing demand for disease prevention and treatment chemicals, reducing survival rates and driving up costs for medicines and feed. At the same time, with rising fingerling prices and higher production costs coupled with declining raw fish prices, farmers are hesitant about restocking, leading to a year-on-year contraction in pangasius farming area.
Previously, pangasius production costs averaged around 1 USD/kg, but have now risen to 1.2–1.3 USD/kg, exceeding those of Alaska pollock. As production costs for competing products in the same market segment continue to fall, the competitiveness of Vietnamese pangasius is gradually eroding, placing farmers under increasing financial strain.
Recommendations to improve fingerling quality
Despite record-high fingerling prices, the Association stated that: “The quality of seed stock - one of the most critical links in this key value chain in the Mekong Delta - remains very poor. This necessitates a comprehensive upgrading, particularly as importing markets require all stages of the value chain be standardized. Poor fingerling quality results in low survival rates, while erratic weather conditions make fish more susceptible to off-season diseases.”
The Association recommended that the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment instruct specialized agencies, such as the Research Institute for Aquaculture No. 2, to work in coordination with provincial Departments of Agriculture and Environment to ensure sufficient resources for producing fingerlings that meet standards required by the Mekong Delta pangasius supply chain. This includes continuing the implementation of the three-tier pangasius seed project (focusing on seed quality, infrastructure and funding).
Regulatory authorities are also urged to align planning with actual demand, moving toward the establishment of concentrated pangasius fingerling production zones. In parallel, traceability systems should be strengthened to meet export requirements, while the continued application of standards such as GlobalGAP and ASC in nursing and intensive farming stages. These measures aim to enhance product quality while ensuring environmental protection and biosafety.
(seafoo.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau Province is stepping up efforts to protect aquatic resources and promote transparent and sustainable fisheries, joining the country’s efforts to have the European Commission (EC) remove its “yellow card” warning for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam has strengthened its position in China’s massive seafood market, becoming the largest lobster supplier while maintaining a dominant share of the country’s imported pangasius.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026 was more than just a larger exhibition space. Through B2B meetings, booth discussions, production-chain visits and post-show feedback, businesses and buyers found something more concrete: suitable suppliers, processing capabilities, technology solutions, new markets and a foundation for building long-term trust and partnerships.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States declined significantly in the first seven months of 2026. Cumulative export value reached US$18 million, down 42% from the same period in 2025. In July alone, exports amounted to just US$2 million, plunging 70%, indicating a clear slowdown in import demand from the US market.
(vasep.com.vn) At the seminar “Global Seafood Markets and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities and Directions for the Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Fisheries Sector,” held as part of VIETFISH 2026, Ms. Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fisheries Officer (Markets) and GLOBEFISH Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), presented initiatives aimed at promoting youth participation in fisheries and aquaculture.
(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.
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