Shipments to other big potential markets such as Brazil, Mexico and Saudi Arabia also posted the year-on-year increases of 70.4%, 38.8% and 13.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, exports to some other main markets went down, in which, sales to the U.S fell by 24.3%; those to the EU decreased by 21.5%; those to ASEAN downed 10.8%;and those to Colombia dropped by 5.3% over the same period in 2016.
China
In the first three months of this year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China gained US$ 69.7 million, up 56.8% from the same period last year. Since February 2017, China has become the biggest pangasius importing market of Vietnam pangasius. Currently, there were nearly 40 Vietnamese enterprises exporting pangasius to China through Cat Lai Port, Bac Phong Sinh border checkpoint; Mong Cai (Quang Ninh) border checkpoint; Chi Ma (Lang Son) border checkpoint; Na Lang and Ta Lung border checkpoint (Cao Bang). In early this year, China continued to a potential importing market of Vietnam pangasius.
The U.S
As of March 2017, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the U.S touched US$61 million, down 24.3% over the same period last year. Currently, there were nearly 15 Vietnam’s pangasius exporters to the U.S. However, there were 2-3 main exporters to this market. After, the export value of pangasius to the U.S continued the rise, but from the beginning of 2017, it was down due to high anti-dumping tax and other technical barriers from the importing market.
The EU
Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the EU in QI/2017 reached US$49.9 million, down 21.5% over the same period last year. In particular, exports to 4 single largest markets including the Netherlands, the UK, Spain and Germany reported the year-on-year decreases of 2.8%; 15%; 42.8% and 27.2%, respectively. According to the ITC statistics, in 2016, imports of some whitefish species into the EU such as frozen cod fillets (HS code 030471); frozen Alaska (HS code 030475) and frozen cod (HS code 030363) picked up the largest share. Up to now, whitefish products are still very competitive with Vietnamese frozen pangasius fillets (HS code 030462). It is forecasted that from QIII/2017, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the EU will increase when the price of raw materials decrease due to a sufficient supply to meet market demand.
Brazil
In QI/2017, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil achieved US$35.5 million, up 70% compared to QI / 2016. Thus, Brazil stayed as the third largest single importer of Vietnam’s pangasius (behind China and the U.S) in earlier this year. According to ITC statistics, Vietnam and Argentina were currently the two largest suppliers of whitefish to Brazil, followed by China and Portugal. In earlier this year, pangasius exports to Brazil showed positive signs with good prices. In the coming time, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil expected to continue the rise.
In the first three months of this year, top five largest pangasius exporting companies in Vietnam included Vinh Hoan Corp., Bien Dong Seafood, Navico, Hung Vuong Corp. and IDI Corp, with the value of US$140.4 million, accounting for 37.8% of total exports, equal to the same period last year. Vietnam’s pangasius exports forecasted to continue to increasing by 5% compared to 2016.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Hoa Vang district (Da Nang City), red tilapia farming is demonstrating clear economic efficiency, becoming a promising livelihood that helps many households increase their income. A notable example is the model of Mr. Huynh Ngoc Nam, who operates two red tilapia ponds covering more than 4 hectares, generating stable annual income.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Gia Vien district, tilapia farming—particularly the “duong nghiep” strain—is expanding rapidly and gradually becoming an efficient production model for local farmers. Hatcheries in the area are supplying high-quality, uniform, and disease-free fingerlings, meeting the growing demand for commercial farming.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of March 19, Vice Chairman of the Ca Mau Provincial People’s Committee, Le Van Su, chaired a meeting to address bottlenecks and propose solutions to expand the super-intensive whiteleg shrimp farming model using low water exchange and high biosecurity standards (RAS-IMTA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On March 10, 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee issued Decision No. 1377/QD-UBND approving the Aquatic Animal Disease Prevention and Control Plan for the 2026–2030 period. The decision takes effect from the date of signing and replaces previous plans for the 2021–2030 period that had been issued prior to the administrative merger in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Binh Duong, and Ho Chi Minh City.
(vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Chile imported more than USD 156 million worth of tuna, up 8.1% compared to the previous year and the highest level in the past five years. As the supply structure in this market is rapidly shifting, Vietnamese tuna is facing both opportunities to expand market share and increasing competitive pressure from Thailand, Colombia, and China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vinh Long Province is stepping up efforts to develop brackish water shrimp farming in a sustainable direction, identifying it as a key sector in its agricultural structure. In 2026, the province aims to reach around 71,300 hectares of shrimp farming, with an output of over 314,000 tons.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ha Tinh Province is strengthening control over shrimp seed quality to minimize risks for the 2026 spring–summer farming season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In February 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached USD 119 million, down slightly 5% year-on-year. However, thanks to strong performance in January, cumulative exports in the first two months of the year still reached USD 331 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2025. Export activity slowed somewhat in February due to seasonal factors, particularly the Lunar New Year holiday, which disrupted production and shipments at many seafood processing enterprises.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Da Nang is accelerating the development of high-tech shrimp farming toward intensive production, disease control, and improved efficiency. Many shrimp farms have invested in automated environmental monitoring systems, continuously tracking indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, enabling farmers to promptly adjust pond conditions and reduce disease risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 is considered a turning point for Vietnam’s shrimp seed industry as the sector faces the need for strong transformation in technology, production management, and gradual self-sufficiency in broodstock supply. These factors are seen as key to improving seed quality and strengthening the competitiveness of the shrimp industry amid increasingly demanding market requirements.
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