According to the trend, only a few markets kept positive growth in pangasius imports such as Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, while most of the major markets decreased, including Russia.
In February 2023, pangasius exports to the Russian market reached nearly 2 million USD, down 40% over the same period last year (equivalent to 3 million USD) and accounted for 1% of the total value of Vietnamese pangasius to other markets. .
In the first two months of 2023, Vietnam's pangasius to the Russian market reached nearly $2.5 million, down 53% compared to the same period in 2022 and accounted for 1.4% of the total value of Vietnamese pangasius exports to markets. The proportion of the Russian market in the first 2 months of this year increased higher than the same period last year (only 1%). Although pangasius decreased, the context of inflation reduced demand and decreased import prices, sales by the end of February are also a positive sign.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine since the end of February 2022 has greatly affected world trade, including Vietnam, causing traffic congestion and difficult trade payments. Although the proportion of Vietnam's seafood exports to these two countries is not large, the escalating tension also creates chain consequences, affecting the seafood exports of the countries. Therefore, in the period of March and April, 2022, Vietnam's seafood exports to Russia stagnated, decreasing by 86% and 46% respectively.
When the war between Russia and Ukraine occurred, Russia was embargoed, Vietnamese goods exported to Russia were also delayed for 3 months, some orders had to be returned, businesses had to process goods. exist or seek to export to other markets. Currently 1 year after the war between Russia and Ukraine, Vietnamese pangasius to the Russian market is showing positive signs of recovery. From the end of 2022, Russia has accelerated the import of Vietnamese pangasius.
In the context of inflation, the Russian market is also not affected as much as Western countries. In addition, Russia is promoting seafood trade with other countries, including China, India and Bangladesh. Vietnamese seafood more or less also has to compete with other countries, especially China, on the Russian market. The Russian economy will be more dependent on China because of the common border. However, Vietnam is still the number one source of pangasius in Russia.
It is forecasted that in the following months, the volume of pangasius to Russia may increase slightly. However, the price of pangasius to this market will decrease compared to 2022, following the general trend. Moreover, Russia's food price inflation is cooling down month by month, which has a negative impact on the prices of the country's seafood products.
According to Russian statistics, from March 13 to March 19, the prices of frozen fish products were stable, sometimes decreasing. In the Far East, pollock prices fell 2.1% (95₽/kg), Pacific herring 3.2% (60₽/kg). Prices of Pacific cod and halibut remained at the level of last week - 220₽ and 70₽/kg. In the Northwest, Atlantic herring decreased by 3.1% (93₽/kg). The price of mackerel remains unchanged: 167₽/kg.
In the central regions, the price of capelin fell 3.4% to 85₽/kg. Atlantic herring fell 1.7% to 113₽/kg. Pollock prices remained at the level of last week - 118₽/kg.
Thu Hang
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached $3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth momentum is moderating and market divergece is becoming more pronounced, while the US and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global shrimp forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers place greater emphasis on quality, product specifications, supply consistency and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports continued to grow in August 2026, bringing total export value in the first eight months of the year to US$1.5 billion, up 10% year-on-year. August exports alone reached US$205 million, up 6%. However, market performance has become increasingly divergent, with China and Brazil posting positive growth while the U.S. continued to record a sharp decline.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached US$1.14 billion in August 2026, up 6.4% year on year, bringing the total for the first eight months to more than US$8.0 billion, an increase of 11.9%. Monthly export value remained above US$1 billion, but August growth was only around half the rate recorded cumulatively through the first eight months. This indicates that the eight-month result was supported significantly by stronger performance in earlier months, while market conditions are entering a less predictable period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius is attracting growing interest from Japanese seafood companies as prices of many traditional whitefish species remain high and supply becomes increasingly volatile. Notably, seafood group Kyokuyo has recently continued to feature pangasius among its priority products, highlighting its competitive pricing and stable supply.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As Vietnam’s tilapia industry searches for new growth opportunities, venturing into brackish-water aquaculture could unlock a formidable competitive moat. Bypassing the volume-and-price bloodbath against established global heavyweights, Vietnam could differentiate itself through high-quality tilapia products tailored to specific farming conditions and value-added market segments.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2026 is rapidly shaping up to be a formidable stress test for Vietnamese pangasius exports to the United States. While exports to alternative markets maintain a resilient growth trajectory, the U.S market has declined significantly. In the first eight months of the year, pangasius exports to the U.S fell by nearly 14% year-on-year, with August alone recording a decline of more than 50%. The trend shows that difficulties in the U.S. market are not driven solely by weak consumer demand, but also by multiple layers of trade barriers that are intensifying simultaneously, particularly additional import tariffs, anti-dumping duties and growing protectionism for the domestic catfish industry.
(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.
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