The EU used to be the largest pangasius import market of Vietnam with peak sales of 511 million USD in 2010, accounting for 36% of Vietnam's pangasius exports. Vietnamese pangasius also accounted for 22% of white fish’s market share imported into the EU at that time. Pangasius is actually considered a competitor to some of the other common white fish species in Europe
Since pangasius was added on the WWF’s red list in 2010, along with a smear media campaign in some European countries with articles and television programs that reflect falsely and negatively about the fish farming, Vietnam pangasius exports to this market dropped unprecedentedly. By 2021, pangasius exports to the EU reached just over 106 million USD, accounting for 7% of Vietnam’s total pangasius exports. In the EU whitefish import market, Vietnamese pangasius only accounted for 1.6% of the market share.
In 2020, the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect from August 1, bringing a great opportunity for seafood exports to this market, including pangasius. Accordingly, pangasius products will receive tax reduction according to a 3-year roadmap. Particularly, the tax reduction route for smoked pangasius will be 7 years from the date of entry into force of the Agreement. Unfortunately, because of the Covid 19 pandemic, the advantage of tariffs did not promote an increase in pangasius exports to the EU in the 2nd period from 2020 to 2021. Social distancing and lockdown caused the food service segment - the largest consumption channel of pangasius fillet in Europe to be closed. The broken supply chain due to logistics stagnation, lack of shipping containers and sea freight 4-10 times higher than before the pandemic is a disadvantage for the pangasius industry because the price cannot compensate for the high cost.
In 2022, the demand of the markets exploded after 2 years of suppression, domestic production was not enough to meet. Especially in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has led to a series of sanctions by countries against Russia's economy and trade. Since the Russian-Ukrainian war, the EU has issued 7 sanctions for Russian economic and trade, including a ban on Russian seafood imports, while Russia is the largest supplier of white fish to this market.
Direct imports from Russia account for 17% of the EU's cod, 19% of Alaska pollock and 19% of the country's haddock supply. Imports of Russian caught fish that have been reprocessed in China account for more than 11% of all cod, 3% of haddock and 37% of the EU's Alaska pollock supply.
Lack of raw white fish supply along with the record inflation in the EU create a great opportunity for Vietnam pangasius exporters. The EVFTA preferential tariff will promote more advantages for Vietnamese pangasius to the EU in 2022.
Vietnam pangasius exports to the EU recover and prosper in the first hafl of 2022
As of mid-July 2022, all markets in the EU have strongly increased imports of Vietnamese pangasius, the lowest growth rate is 25%, the highest increase is nearly 6 times over the same period last year. The top 5 largest markets in the bloc include the Netherlands, which increased by 72% and accounted for 30% of pangasius exports to the EU, Germany increased by 107%, accounting for 12%, Spain increased by 75% and accounted for nearly 10%, Belgium increased by 92% and accounted for 9.7% and Italy increased by 90% and accounted for nearly 8% of the share...
More than 93% of pangasius export value to the EU is frozen pangasius fillets (HS code 0304) with a value of 113.5 million USD, an increase of 94% over the same period. Frozen pangasius products (HS code 0303) account for about 4.4%, the rest is processed pangasius, accounting for 1.6%.
With market opportunities and advantages from the EVFTA, it is forecasted that pangasius exports to the EU in the second half of the year will continue to grow strongly and in the whole year 2022 will bring about 200 million USD in foreign currency, an increase of 90% compared to 2021.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the 2026 brackish-water shrimp farming calendar issued by the Da Nang Department of Agriculture and Environment, the 2026 crop started in early January and is expected to harvest in late June. However, stocking progress has been slower than planned as farmers remain cautious, focusing on pond renovation and production preparations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026, commercial clam prices in Ha Tinh province surged sharply, nearly doubling compared to normal levels and standing about 20–30% higher than the same period last year. The spike has encouraged many aquaculture households to accelerate harvesting and sell large volumes to the market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In January 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 379.6 million, up 22% compared to the same period in 2025. The double-digit growth in the very first month of the year signals a relatively positive recovery in orders, particularly in Asian markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) From the very beginning of 2026, India’s shrimp industry has received a series of favorable trade signals: U.S. reciprocal tariffs have been reduced, while the successful conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU has opened prospects for eliminating nearly all seafood tariffs in the coming years. This shift not only enables Indian shrimp to quickly offset declines in the U.S. market, but also reshapes the global competitive landscape, placing greater pressure on Vietnamese shrimp exporters in terms of price, market share, and strategic positioning.
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With forecasts indicating that weather conditions in 2026 may become more complex—featuring prolonged heatwaves, unseasonal rains, and increased salinity intrusion—the agricultural sector of Can Tho City advises brackish water shrimp farmers to strictly follow the seasonal farming calendar and strengthen pond environmental management to minimize risks and improve production efficiency.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On February 4, a working delegation led by the Authority of Telecommunications (Ministry of Science and Technology) met with the Management Board of Cat Lo Fishing Port (Phuoc Thang Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) to comprehensively review the installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), assess signal connectivity, and evaluate the effectiveness of information technology applications in fisheries management across the city.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a significant milestone for China’s lobster market, with total imports reaching a record high and the supply structure undergoing major changes. Amid this surge, Vietnam’s lobster exports—especially green lobster—accelerated dramatically, reaching new highs and contributing substantially to Vietnam’s overall record shrimp export value.
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