The prices of pangasius fingerlings and raw pangasius in ponds fell in March, following steady increases in the first two months of this year.
Due to increasing demand for the Lunar New Year, the ex-farm's pangasius price went up in January 2024. After the extended holiday season in February 2024, concerns about a supply shortfall led to an increase in the cost of fish and pangasius fingerlings at the farm.
Prices at the farm for pangasius of 800-1,200gr small size climbed by 4% in January 2024, while prices for sizes of 1,200g and larger increased by 7%.
In response to an increase in the cost of raw fish at the farm following the Lunar New Year vacation, which raised demand for fingerlings, the price of pangasius fingerlings continued to rise by 2% in February 2024. By the end of February 2024, there was still a shortage of pangasius fingerlings due to a high stocking loss rate.
In March 2024, there were positive signs in the exports of pangasius to various markets. Both export prices and export volumes increased slightly compared to the previous two months. However, the supply of raw pangasius is currently low, due to the prolonged low prices and the slow recovery of export turnover. Many farmers are hesitant to expand their pangasius farming area.
In addition, there are fewer fingerlings available due to illnesses and unfavorable weather. Depending on the amount of the crop, these factors have led the price of pangasius at the farm to drop by 5.5% - 9.3%.
In the Chinese market, pangasius size bigger than 1 kg, 1.2 kg, and more are frequently more in demand. The price of pangasius in these sizes fell to below 30,000 VND/kg in week 8 of 2024 (February 19–25, 2024), the lowest since early 2023.
The export price of pangasius, however, returned to its January 2024 level in March 2024 following a decline in the price of fingerlings. Pangasius of size 800g–1kg are frequently processed and sold to the US and EU as frozen fillets. Larger pangasius are typically preferred by US consumers among them; the export price is 28,695 VND/kg, the same as it was at the start of the year. In addition, compared to the same time last year, the price of pangasius weighing 800g to 1kg dropped by almost 2,000 VND/kg.
As Vietnam observed the Lunar New Year holiday in February 2024, the harvest yield of pangasius fell by 43% to 72,000 tons from January 2024. For pangasius harvesting, January is also a good month. The price of pangasius fingerlings fell to 37,780 VND/kg for the size of 30-pcs/kg in week 8 of 2024 (February 19–25, 2024), which was the highest price since 2023.
However, in March 2024, the price dropped by 27% to 27,585 VND/kg, which is the same as it was at the end of 2023. The primary cause is the decline in the selling price of raw fish, which has caused companies and farmers to have less demand for fingerlings. The majority of other input expenses have increased significantly since last year, and the farm's March 2024 price drop also resulted in lower profits.
According to data from General Department of Vietnam customs, in the first half of March 2024, Vietnam's pangasius exports reached a value of 74 million USD, down 18% compared to the same period. The accumulated pangasius exports value by March 15, 2024 slightly decreased by 0.05% to reach over 329 million USD.
Pangasius prices are expected to recover this year due to stronger demand from China, the EU and some other major markets. However, the costs related to input materials are always a big problem for fish farmers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
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