In 2016, Vietnam’s pangasius was destined to 137 markets around the world, including the US (with the largest share of 23%), China (17%) and the EU (slipped to the 3rd rank with the share of 16%).
In the last 2 months of QIII/2016, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the EU reached US$20-21 million per month, while those to China amounted to US$30-31 million per month, almost equal to sales to the US. In QIV/2016, shipments to China outstripped the US. China sharply raised imports of Vietnam’s pangasius, which significantly influenced on raw pangasius market in the Mekong Delta and led to the local shortage for production and exports in late 2016.
Currently, Vietnam has more than 100 pangasius producers and exporters, including 20 large enterprises which take up about 80% of the whole industry and hold 70-80% of total material production. In 2017, Vietnam’s pangasius exports forecasted to value at over US$1.7 billion, slightly increasing by 4% year on year. In particular, the US is the destination for 2-3 big enterprises, while other enterprises will focus more on exports to China, the EU, ASEAN and boost those to Russia.
The US
Through Nov 2016, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the US hit US$354.2 million, up 22.2% over the same period last year and accounted for 22.9% of total pangasius exports. In recent years, enterprises had faced challenges in exports to this importing market due to high anti-dumping duty and the catfish inspection program. Now, only 2-3 large enterprises remained their exports to the market.
With a number of strict regulations, USDA's catfish inspection program will be a technical barrier for Vietnam’s pangasius enterprises in the coming time. Although this program hasn’t had strong impacts on pangaius export turnover to the US, it influcened on exporters’ sentiment.
EU
As of Nov 2016, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to EU achieved US$238.8 million, down 9.9% year on year. Due to the continuous declines in the last 3 years, the EU has slipped to the 3rd rank (behind China) in top 3 largest importers of Vietnam’s pangasius.
China – Hongkong
As of Nov 2016, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China - Hong Kong reached US$270.6 million, remarkably rising by 84.4% compared to same period last year. This market ovetook the EU to rank the 2nd out of top leading buyer of Vietnam’s pangasius in 2016. With this strong growth as now, China - Hong Kong expected to become the largest importer of Vietnam’s pangasius in the next year.
Vietnam’s pangasius exports in 2016 forecasted to total US$1.66 billion, up 7% compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2017, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to major importing markets such as the US, China, ASEAN expected to continue the rise. However, exports to the EU predicted to decrease by 3-5% over the same period in 2016.
In 2016, Vietnam’s pangasius enterprises had to face difficulties due to a shortage in raw materials and fluctuations in material prices.
As reported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in 2016, pangasius output in the Mekong Delta totaled 1.19 million MT, with the farming area of over 5,500 hectares. In 2017, the area for pangasius farming expected to increase slightly to 5,600 hectares with the yield of 1.2 million MT.
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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