China, the U.S., and Brazil lead import markets
By market, China continued to be the largest destination for Vietnamese pangasius. In February 2026, exports to China reached USD 26 million, up 19% year-on-year. Cumulatively for the first two months, exports totaled USD 94 million, surging 86%, mainly driven by increased imports ahead of the Lunar New Year.
The United States ranked second among import markets. In February 2026, pangasius exports to the U.S. reached USD 18 million, down 19% year-on-year. For the first two months, exports totaled USD 38 million, down slightly 5%. This decline partly reflects slower consumption and cautious sentiment among importers amid changes in U.S. tariff policies.
Brazil ranked third, with exports in February reaching USD 10 million, down 27% year-on-year. However, cumulative exports to this market in the first two months still reached USD 29 million, up 8%.
Other major market groups
Exports to CPTPP markets in February 2026 reached USD 22 million, down 7% year-on-year. Nevertheless, thanks to strong results in January, cumulative exports to this bloc in the first two months reached USD 59 million, up more than 23% compared to the same period in 2025.
Meanwhile, exports to the EU reached USD 11 million in February, down slightly 5% year-on-year. For the first two months, exports to the EU totaled USD 26 million, up 7%, indicating that demand in this region is maintaining a stable recovery trend.
Several other markets also showed positive growth signals. Thailand recorded USD 15 million in imports during the first two months, up 18%. Colombia saw the strongest growth, increasing by more than 100% year-on-year. In contrast, Canada recorded a slight decline both in February and over the two-month period.
Export product structure
In terms of product structure, pangasius products under HS code 03 continued to dominate total export value. In the first two months of 2026, frozen/dried pangasius (excluding HS0304) reached USD 52 million, up 22%, indicating stable demand for these products.
Meanwhile, value-added pangasius products (HS16) reached USD 6 million in the first two months of 2026, down 14% year-on-year. Although this segment accounts for a smaller share of total exports, it is considered to have strong long-term potential as consumer trends in many markets shift toward processed and convenient products.
Outlook and challenges
The export growth of pangasius in the first two months of 2026 was mainly driven by strong performance in January, while February showed signs of slowing. Exports to the U.S. declined by 19%, and several other markets also recorded slight decreases due to disruptions caused by the Lunar New Year holiday.
Meanwhile, China maintained solid growth of 19%, continuing to be a key driver of Vietnam’s pangasius exports in the early part of the year. However, the outlook ahead still presents several challenges. In the EU, while supply of whitefish is tightening, countries such as China and Brazil are increasing exports of tilapia, making the mid-range segment more competitive for Vietnamese pangasius.
In addition, ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to raise the risk of disruptions to maritime shipping routes and increase logistics costs, which could affect import demand and delivery schedules for seafood products in this region and globally in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
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