By the end of April 2023, exports to the two largest markets of Vietnamese pangasius, China and the US, also fell deeply. Pangasius exports to China & Hong Kong only reached $183 million, down 39% over the same period last year. The US market also reduced imports of Vietnamese pangasius because of high inventory, reaching $86 million, down 64% compared to the same period in 2022.
Pangasius exports to the EU market reached 60 million USD, down 8% compared to the same period last year. Exports to many markets in the bloc decreased from 13% to 31%, except for Germany, which increased by 78%. Many key markets have reduced imports of Vietnamese pangasius such as the Netherlands by 22%, Belgium by 13%, Spain by 30%.
Beside the EU, Vietnam's pangasius export turnover to some other main markets in the first 4 months of 2023 also experienced a negative double-digit growth compared to the same period last year such as: to Mexico down 45%, to Canada down 51% , to Japan down 15%, to Brazil down 33%, to Thailand down 49%.
Vietnam pangasius exports in the first 4 months of 2023 recorded negative growth in many markets
In addition to the German market, Singapore and the UK are also two bright spots for Vietnamese pangasius exports. Specifically, by the end of April 2023, pangasius exports to the UK reached 22 million USD, up 13%, to Singapore reached 12 million USD, up 20%. Although among the high inflation rate countries, the UK still increased imports of Vietnamese pangasius with a double-digit growth.
Exports of all pangasius products have negative double-digit growth. In which, exports of frozen pangasius fillets/cuts (HS code 0304) reached $471 million in the first 4 months of 2023, down 45%. Export of fresh/frozen/dried pangasius (HS code 03) reached USD 89 million, down 9%, export of processed pangasius (HS code 16) reached USD 9 million, down 23%.
The consequences of prolonged inflation and high inventories are one of the difficulties for the seafood industry, including pangasius. Vietnamese seafood farmers and businesses are facing challenges from a declining market, high raw material costs and other input costs, a sharp drop in profits, a lack of capital to turn over production and business.
In the current context, the pangasius industry really needs the cooperation and support of the Government and state agencies as well as the companion and consensus of farmers and businesses.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(vasep.com.vn) On November 11, 2026, in Can Tho, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) will organize the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029: Opportunities and Headroom for Double-Digit Export Growth.”
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Business leader Do Ngoc Tai, General Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, was honored by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) with the title “Outstanding Vietnamese Entrepreneur – Thanh Giong Cup 2026” at a ceremony celebrating Vietnam Entrepreneurs’ Day (October 13). The event took place on the evening of October 11, 2026, at the National Convention Center in Hanoi.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market is becoming increasingly segmented, not only among producing countries but also by product type and destination market. Supply is divided into groups with distinct competitive advantages: large volumes of whole fish and frozen fillets from Asia, high-value fresh fillets from Latin America, and substantial domestic consumption in several major producing countries.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports to the UK grew in the first eight months of 2026, despite signs of slowing import demand in the market. However, sharp fluctuations in orders, competition from major suppliers, and new traceability requirements are creating challenges for Vietnamese exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam is stepping up efforts to combat illegal fishing, protect marine ecosystems, expand digital monitoring, and develop science-based management to ensure the sea can support communities and the economy for generations to come.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The EU remains a critical market for Vietnamese shrimp; however, purchasing demand and import patterns are undergoing notable changes. According to Vietnam Customs data, as of September 15, 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the EU reached nearly $374 million, down 5% year-over-year and accounting for 10.7% of the country’s total shrimp export value. Meanwhile, the EU’s stotal shrimp imports through July 2026 contracted by 7% in volume, exhibiting divergent trends across Southern Europe, Northwestern Europe and Eastern Europe. These dynamics necessitate that Vietnamese enterprises closely monitor individualized market demand, rather than approaching the EU as a monolithic consumer block.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of surimi and fish cakes remained relatively stable year-over-year compared to 2025. Following a contraction in the initial months, export performance demonstrated improvement from June onward, peaking in August. However, the recovery has been uneven, characterized by divergent trends across major markets: robust growth was recorded in China, Japan, Malaysia, the United States, and Taiwan, whereas export volumes to South Korea, Indonesia, and select European markets contracted.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains one of Dong Thap’s key aquaculture species, with the province focusing on developing an integrated value chain covering seed production, commercial farming, deep processing and by-product utilization. The province is promoting high-tech, circular pangasius farming models featuring reduced water exchange and enhanced biosecurity, aiming to improve production efficiency and strengthen control over raw material quality.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports in September 2026 are estimated at US$1.135 billion, up 11.9% year-on-year, bringing total exports in the first nine months of the year to US$9.103 billion, up 11.4%. Behind this double-digit growth, however, increasingly divergent market trends are emerging: China–Hong Kong and ASEAN posted strong growth, while the U.S., EU and Japan all recorded declines in September.
(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.
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