QI/2016: Vietnam pangasius exports increased by 2.4%

As of Mar 2016, Vietnam pangasius exports hit US$365.4 million, up 2.4% over QI/2015. Products of frozen/ fresh pangasius fillets/whole round, (HS code 03) accounted for 99.2% of total export value, while processed pangasius (HS code 16) accounted for 0.8%.

The U.S.

In QI/2016, Vietnam pangasius exports to the U.S. gained US$80.6 million, up 3.4% compared to QI/2015. In spite of the increase in export value, the number of enterprises engaged in exporting pangasius to the U.S. decreased due to high anti-dumping tax. Since the early 2016, the export price of pangasius to the U.S. was affected by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s catfish inspection program.

In the next quarters, Vietnam pangasius exports to this market predicted to decrease due to the main reasons above.

The EU

In QI/2016, Vietnam pangasius exports to the EU achieved US$63.6 million, down 6.8% year on year. In particular, among 4 largest importers in the EU bloc, exports to Spain and German picked up 17.9% and 4.4%, respectively, while exports to the Netherlands and the UK took a year-on-year dip of 13% and 22.5%, respectively.

In QII and QIII of 2016, pangasius exports to the EU are predicted to continue the growth of less than 10% over the same period of 2015. Currently, Vietnam pangasius is competing with some white fish species in the EU market. The price of Vietnam pangasius is more competitive than those of these species. Building and promoting the image, prestige of Vietnam pangasius is always prioritized to combat unfair competition through campaign of smear Vietnamese pangasius via mass media.

China - Hong Kong

Through Mar 2016, pangasius exports of Vietnam to the market touched US$25.4 million, up 32.6% over the same period of 2015. In QII/2016, thanks to stable demand, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China - Hong Kong are expected to increase by 20%-35% over the same period in 2015.

According to the ITC, in 2015, imports of whitefish products into China were relatively stable. In particular, products of frozen Alaska pollock made up the highest proportion of 40-65%; followed by frozen cod with 25-43%; frozen haddock with 6-7%; pangasius and catfish with 1.5 to 4% of total whitefish imports into China.

Brazil

After a continuous decline in export value in 2015, as of mid-Mar 2016, Vietnam pangasius export to Brazil reached US$17.2 million, up 761.5% from the same period last year. In QI/2015, pangasius exports to Brazil were stalled due to the temporary ban imposed by Brazil's Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) on Vietnamese pangasius. Then, since Apr 2015, the MPA allowed to grant import license of seafood products from Vietnam after a pause. Therefore, Vietnam pangasius exports to the market posted the sharp increase in the first 3 months of 2016.

Written by Ta Ha

Compiled by Dieu Thuy