According to data from Vietnam Customs, the export value of value-added pangasius to the US exceeded $2 million in November 2024, marking a staggering 4,270% year-on-year increase (equivalent to 42 times higher) compared to November 2023. During the first 11 months of 2024, exports of these products to the US reached over $12 million, a 2,182% surge (equivalent to 21 times higher) compared to the same period last year.
This achievement represents the highest export value for value-added pangasius in the past decade since 2015. Previously, 2022 had recorded the highest value of pangasius exports to the US, driven by a surge in demand as the US reopened post-COVID-19, leading to significant import volumes during the first half of the year. However, the rapid surge in imports resulted in supply exceeding demand, leaving excess inventory throughout 2023. The subsequent economic downturn, declining consumer demand, and tightened spending further slowed the clearance of inventory, leading to a substantial drop in pangasius export value to the US in 2023. That year is considered the most challenging for Vietnam's pangasius export sector in a decade.
In the first 11 months of 2024, the US primarily imported value-added pangasius products from Vietnam under HS Code 16041990. These include frozen breaded pangasius fingers (25g size), breaded pangasius fillets, frozen breaded pangasius nuggets, and similar products. Exports under this code accounted for 99.9% of the total value-added pangasius export value to the US during this period, generating $12.4 million.
Five companies dominated exports under HS Code 16041990 to the US in the first 11 months of 2024. Van Duc Tien Giang led with a 74% share, followed by Bien Dong Seafood (13%), NTFS Seafood (12%), Vinh Hoan (2%), and SKYEX (0.0002%).
Other value-added pangasius products exported to the US include those under HS Code 16042099 (e.g., frozen pangasius skewers, crispy fried pangasius skin snacks); HS Code 16042030 (e.g., frozen boiled pangasius balls, frozen pangasius fish cakes); and HS Code 16042091 (e.g., frozen breaded and fried pangasius portions).
In addition to frozen fillets, which remain the primary export, value-added pangasius products should receive more robust promotion and strategic positioning in international markets. This approach is vital for strengthening the global presence of Vietnamese pangasius.
The outlook for 2025 appears promising, with expectations that the export value of value-added pangasius will build on the momentum of 2024 and achieve further growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
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