The export structure shows that frozen pangasius fillets remained the dominant product, accounting for around 82% of total exports. Other fish products under HS 03 accounted for 7%, while processed and value-added pangasius products under HS 16 represented 11%. Although the latter share remains relatively small, processed products are showing notable potential in Japan, a market with strong demand for convenient foods that offer consistent quality and meet stringent food safety standards.
Japan is not a market where rapid growth can be achieved in a short period. Japanese consumers and importers tend to have high expectations regarding product quality, food safety, traceability and consistency. Therefore, expanding the market share of Vietnamese pangasius in Japan should be viewed as a long-term strategy rather than an effort focused solely on rapidly increasing export volumes.
For Vietnamese companies, maintaining a stable supply and consistent quality will be critical. A single shipment that meets requirements is not enough to establish a strong market position; companies must demonstrate their ability to control quality throughout the entire production chain, from farming and processing to export. Japan’s stringent requirements can also serve as a benchmark, helping Vietnamese companies strengthen their production capabilities and better meet international standards.
A promising direction for value-added pangasius is the development of products for sushi, sashimi and Japanese-style processed foods. Pangasius, with its white flesh, mild sweetness, nutritional value and price advantage, could offer a competitive alternative to traditional fish species used as raw materials. However, this segment requires very high standards for quality, consistency and food safety. Vietnamese companies therefore need to make systematic investments from farming areas and raw material control to processing technology, while working closely with Japanese importers to develop product specifications suited to the market. If successful, this approach could not only increase the value of pangasius but also help change Japanese consumers’ perceptions of Vietnamese pangasius.
In the long term, Japan could become a market that helps build the Vietnamese pangasius brand, rather than simply serving as an outlet for products. Achieving this goal, however, will require sustained investment in quality, international certifications, processed products and long-term relationships with Japanese importers. The 20% growth recorded in the first seven months of the year is an encouraging signal, but establishing a solid position for Vietnamese pangasius in Japan will require a persistent and consistent long-term strategy.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Japan are showing positive signals in 2026, indicating that the market is opening up greater opportunities for pangasius products, particularly processed and value-added products. In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Japan reached US$31 million, up 20% year-on-year. In July alone, export value reached approximately US$5 million, up 30%.
On July 22, 2026, the Government issued Decree No. 292/2026/ND-CP detailing certain articles and providing measures for the organization and implementation of the Law on Foreign Trade Management. The Decree takes effect on September 5, 2026, replacing Decree No. 69/2018/ND-CP.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius producer Vinh Hoan has won the top prize at the 2026 Seafood Excellence Asia Awards for its Cured Panga Croquette, highlighting the growing potential of value-added pangasius products in international markets.
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(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.
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