The Zero-Covid policy with prolonged restrictions has weakened the Chinese seafood market. Demand for seafood and seafood prices in the market both decreased. Statistics and data collected at 68 wholesale markets across the country show that in September 2022, seafood sales decreased by 19.6% compared to September 2021, the average seafood price was at 3. 41 USD/kg, down 12.1% over the same period last year. The price of freshwater seafood fell 6.3% to an average of $2.64/kg, while the volume of freshwater seafood sold fell by 16.5%, showing the impact of China's COVID-19 lockdown.
In spite of some limitations due to the Zero-Covid policy, China is still a very potential destination for many Vietnamese pangasius exporters. By the end of November, pangasius exports to China reached 636 million USD, up 81% over the same period while exports to Hong Kong reached nearly 38 million USD, up 46%. Particularly, frozen pangasius fillets with HS code 0304 exported to China reached US$472 million, accounting for 74% of pangasius export value to this market.
According to statistics of China Customs, as of October 2022, imports of frozen fish fillets with HS code 0304 from Vietnam into China reached nearly 500 million USD. Of which, frozen pangasius fillets accounted for nearly 89% with $444 million.
The trend of the Chinese market in the coming time is unpredictable and depends significantly on whether China adjusts its Zero Covid policy or not as well as how it is adjusted. However, many seafood traders in the world, including Vietnamese enterprises, are hoping for the stability of this market as this is still a large market with high consumption demand.
Among Vietnamese pangasius import markets, China attracts the largest number of export enterprises. Up to now, there are more than 160 Vietnamese pangasius exporters in China. Top 5 pangasius exporters to China include Dai Thanh Co., Ltd., TG Fishery JSC, I.D.I Corporation, Cadovimex II and Go Dang JSC. In general, there's not much difference in sales between these companies, accounting for 6-7% of pangasius export value to China.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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