According to data from General Department of Vietnam Customs, the UK imported nearly $3 million worth of pangasius from Vietnam in the first half of March 2024. Cumulative pangasius exports to this market reached $12 million as of March 15, 2024, down 3% from the same period last year.
More than $5 million worth of pangasius was bought by this nation from Vietnam earlier this year, an increase of 19% from January 2023 and 17% from January 2022. Vietnam's pangasius exports to the UK fell by 16% to about $4 million in February 2024, perhaps as a result of the Tet vacation coincided in the same month. Nevertheless, compared to the same month in 2022—the year that pangasius exports hit a record high—this number is still 1.5 times larger.
ITC data indicates that in January 2024, the UK imported 15,000 tons of whitefish worth USD 87 million from around the globe. Comparing this to January 2023, there has been a 12% decline in value and a 9% fall in volume. Just 8% of the world's total whitefish imports into the UK were from Vietnam, mostly are pangasius products.
The UK's top supplier of frozen cod fillet (HS code 030471), which is the most popular whitefish product among customers in this European nation, is China. Frozen cod fillet (HS code 030471) was imported into the UK for $10 million in January 2024 from China, a 40% decline from the same period the previous year and makes up 21% of the UK's global imports of whitefish. With a value of around $2 million in the first month of this year, Vietnam is ranked 7th among suppliers to the UK, rising 366% from the same period last year.
Following that, other products chosen by consumers in the UK include: frozen haddock fillet, HS code 030472, with $11 million, up 9%; frozen cod fillet, HS code 030463, with $6 million, up 28%; frozen fillet of Alaska pollock, HS code 030475, with $5.6 million, down 59% compared to the same period.
One of Vietnam's main export markets for pangasius is the UK, where demand is still largely steady. Pangasius exports showed promising outcomes in 2022 and 2023 as well. Vietnam's pangasius exports soared in most markets in 2022, but bad context of 2023 caused a decline in imports in many nations. Nevertheless, even with certain months seeing double-digit negative growth, pangasius exports to the UK increased by 9% overall in 2023 compared to the year before.
Concerns over environmentally friendly products and sustainability are growing among UK consumers. As a result, products exported to this market must abide by laws governing resource management, reduce their negative effects on the environment, and ensure production sustainability.
In March 2024, the top 5 Vietnam pangasius exporters to the UK include: Vinh Hoan Corporation accounting for 30% market share, NTSF Seafoods accounting for 20% market share, Godaco Seafoods and Dai Thanh Seafoods accounting for 7% market share each, and Phu Thanh Hai Corporation accounting for 6% market share.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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