The U.S.
In the first 5 months of 2016, pangasius exports to the U.S. reached US$152 million, picking up 23.4% of total export value, and up 12.9% year on year. Despite a fall in the number of enterprises engaged in exporting pangasius to the U.S., the shipments to this market hit the highest value out of the top 10 leading pangasius importers of Vietnam.
According to the ITC, in Jan-Apr 2016, Vietnam stayed as the 2nd largest supplier of whitefish products to the U.S (after China). In Jan-Feb 2016, the import value of frozen tilapia fillets (HS code 030461) accounted for the largest proportion of 35-38.4% of the total whitefish imports into this market. However, in Mar-Apr 2016, the U.S increased imports of frozen pangasius fillets (HS code 030462) from Vietnam with the share of 27%, exceeding the import value of frozen tilapia fillets from China into the U.S.
In Jan-May 2016, high anti-dumping duty and catfish inspection program put pressure on Vietnam’s pangasius export companies to the U.S. Up to now, only two companies, Vinh Hoan Corp and Bien Dong Seafood, are entitled to the tax rate of 0% and their pangasius shipments to the U.S remain stable.
The EU
In the first 5 months of this year, Vietnam pangasius exports to the EU were on the downward trend. Through May 2016, the exports to this market totaled US$109.3 million, down 8.1% year on year. Out of 4 largest importers in the bloc, the shipments to the UK (-3.4%) and the Netherlands (-20.8%) reported the fall, while the exports to Spain (+1.9%) and Germany (+1.8%) showed the growth. Out of top largest markets, EU is the most demanding market for Vietnam pangasius exporters.
China - Hong Kong and Brazil
Vietnam pangasius exports to these markets posted the good growth. In Jan-May 2016, the exports to China - Hong Kong reached US$94.9 million, up 72.7%; and those to Brazil hit US$32.8 million, up 118.3% from the same period last year.
According to the ITC, in 2015, Vietnam pangasius exports to China remained stable but only accounting for less than 5% of the total import value of whitefish into China. The country mainly imports Alaska Pollock, Haddock, and Cod, taking up 90% of the total whitefish imports.
In 2015, according to the ITC, imports of frozen fish products into Brazil decreased by 23% over the previous year. In particular, chilled/fresh/frozen fish fillets (HS code 0304) dropped by 25% in value and 22% in volume; fresh and whole fish (HS code 0302) downed 13% in value and up 4% in volume; smoked fish and fishmeal (HS code 0305) fell by 27% in value and 30% in volume compared with 2014. Chilled/fresh/frozen fish fillets (HS code 0304) made up the largest proportion in the total imports of fresh/chilled/frozen fish into Brazil, followed by the groups of HS code 0302 and HS code 0305.
Out of whitefish imports into the country, in 2015, imports of most whitefish items posted a slump. In which, import value of frozen pangasius and catfish fillets fell by 37%; frozen Hake fillets downed 18.6%, frozen Alaska Pollock fillets dropped by 4.2%, and frozen Cod decreased by 32.9% compared to 2014.
As of Apr 2016, imports of pangasius fillets accounted for the highest share out of whitefish products with 39%, while the other whitefish products such as Hake, Cod, Alaska Pollock occupied less than 35% of the total imports of whitefish into Brazil.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(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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