The temporary 90-day suspension of the proposed 46% countervailing tariff on Vietnamese goods has provided exporters with a crucial window to ship their products to the U.S. and explore alternative market opportunities.
Currently, the export price of pangasius to the U.S. is approximately USD 3.40/kg. If the 46% tariff is implemented, the price could rise to around USD 5.10/kg—rendering Vietnamese pangasius significantly less competitive against other whitefish products. This scenario could result in substantial losses for exporters, where increasing export volume paradoxically exacerbates financial hardship. As a result, enterprises may be compelled to reassess their market strategies, potentially reducing their exposure to the U.S. and shifting focus to other regions.
In terms of volume, Vietnam’s pangasius exports across all markets experienced a sharp increase in March 2025, rising from over 55,000 tonnes to nearly 79,000 tonnes - an impressive 23% year-on-year growth.
Most major export markets recorded notable month-on-month increases in March 2025: China & Hong Kong: +61%, ASEAN: +11%, United States: +28%, European Union: +73%, Brazil: +44%, Mexico: +15%, United Kingdom: +120%. This surge in export volume was partly due to the absence of disruptions caused by Vietnam’s extended Lunar New Year holiday, which had affected shipment volumes in the first two months of the year. Additionally, rising demand from China toward the end of March was supported by a decline in raw material prices.
Looking ahead to April 2025, raw pangasius demand may soften among major U.S.-bound exporters due to ongoing tariff-related uncertainty. Nevertheless, the China & Hong Kong market is showing signs of improved supply conditions, suggesting that overall demand for raw pangasius may remain resilient.
The average export price for all pangasius products rose by 2% in March, reaching USD 2.28/kg.
Thanks to a strong rebound, China & Hong Kong regained their position as Vietnam’s largest pangasius export destination in March 2025, importing over 21,000 tonnes. This followed a notable drop in February, which marked the lowest monthly import volume in the past year.
However, the average export price to China decreased by 4.2% to USD 2.04/kg after six consecutive months of gains. Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China reached USD 38 million in March 2025, up 6% from the same period last year.
By the end of Q1 2025, China and the United States remained Vietnam’s top two pangasius export markets, with frozen fillets continuing to dominate the product mix. Beyond the temporary tariff suspension and trade policy dynamics, consumer demand in both markets remains a decisive factor in shaping retail market trends. Consumers in both countries are familiar with the taste and quality of Vietnamese whitefish. If offered competitive pricing through tariff reductions or trade agreement benefits (e.g., FTAs), their purchasing decisions are likely to shift favorably - thereby boosting both import volume and export value from Vietnam.
Looking forward, there is cautious optimism that Vietnam and the United States will soon reach a mutually agreeable resolution on tariff issues. Concurrently, Vietnam is expected to accelerate negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN–China Free Trade Agreement to version 3.0 (ACFTA 3.0), opening up broader economic and trade opportunities for the region as a whole - and for Vietnam and China in particular.
(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.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) June 2026 brought encouraging signs for Vietnam's tuna exports, with export value rising 20% year-on-year to nearly USD 72 million. However, this increase has yet to offset the prolonged slowdown seen in key markets such as the European Union (EU), where import demand remains weak. The outlook for the second half of the year is expected to become more challenging as freight rates continue to climb.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in collaboration with the Agency for Domestic Market Management and Development under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, will organize the Domestic Seafood Supply–Demand Matching Program on the morning of August 20, 2026, at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City. The program aims to foster direct business connections between Vietnamese seafood producers and processors and domestic distributors, retailers, and foodservice channels.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Cooking Show will be one of the most engaging experiential highlights of Vietfish 2026. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, 2026, at Hall B1, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City, the event will offer visitors a vibrant culinary space where Vietnamese seafood is showcased through its flavors, stories, and real-life culinary applications.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's pangasius exports reached USD 205 million in June 2026, up 5% compared with the same month in 2025. Cumulative export value for the first six months of the year totaled USD 1.1 billion, an increase of 12% year-on-year. Growth was primarily driven by strong demand from China and CPTPP markets, while exports to the United States and Brazil continued to decline.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first six months of 2026, Ha Tinh province continued to implement comprehensive solutions to combat IUU fishing; strictly manage the fishing fleet, control fishing vessels entering and leaving ports, operate vessel tracking devices, trace the origin of seafood, and severely punish violations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam's tilapia exports reached USD 7 million in June 2026, down 32% compared with the same month in 2025. Nevertheless, thanks to strong growth in the first five months of the year, cumulative tilapia exports in the first half of 2026 totaled USD 69 million, up 67% year on year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sa Giang Import-Export Joint Stock Company, a member of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), has been honored with the "Famous Brand - Competitive Vietnamese Brand 2026" certification at an award ceremony organized by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Association (VIPA).
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) China imported nearly $1.4 billion worth of Vietnamese seafood in the first half of the year, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year, surpassing the US to become the largest export market for the industry.
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
