Regarding broodstock, there are currently over 240,000 broodfish ready for spawning. Of these, 180,000 were selected from commercial fish stocks, and 60,000 are high-quality pangasius transferred by the Research Institute for Aquaculture II under the 2016-2020 breeding program (40,000 have spawned, and 20,000 are first-time spawners).
By the end of October 2024, fry production reached 25.95 billion, and fingerling production totaled 3.9 billion.
For commercial farming, the total farming area in 2024 is estimated at 5,370 hectares, equivalent to 95% of the 2023 figure). The new farming area added annually during 2020-2024 remained stable at 5,200-5,800 hectares, except for a significant reduction in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The harvest yield for 2024 is projected at 1.67 million tons, approximately 99% of the 2023 level.
Forecast and development strategies for the pangasius sector in 2025
Climate change and saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta, combined with shifts in the Mekong River’s water resources, will have significant impacts on pangasius farming. Feed costs, the highest proportion of farming expenses, are under pressure due to declining supplies of fishmeal and fish oil.
Meanwhile, countries like Indonesia, India, and China are expanding their production of pangasius and similar products, creating fierce competition, particularly in key markets such as the EU, the US, Japan, and the GCC.
The pangasius sector's 2025 targets include:
- Production volume: 1.65 million tons
- Export revenue: $2 billion
To achieve these goals, several key measures need to be implemented:
- Improving broodstock: Continue selective breeding to enhance quality, focusing on salinity tolerance and disease resistance.
- Feed innovation: Research alternatives to fishmeal and fish oil, such as plant-based materials, insects, microalgae, microbial protein, and seaweed.
- Recycling by-products: Increase recycling of processing by-products, excluding pangasius-derived products for feed.
- Technology application: Pilot Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in broodstock farms to improve survival rates and biosecurity.
- Brand building: Enhance technology, enforce strict quality control, and secure certifications for food safety, environmental sustainability, and greenhouse gas emissions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.069 billion, up 17.5% compared to the same period in 2025. This is a positive result amid an uneven global shrimp market recovery, intensifying competition among major suppliers, and continued volatility in the international trade environment. However, this growth does not reflect a broad-based recovery across the entire sector, but rather is driven mainly by strong performance in a few markets and specific product segments—most notably lobster exports to China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports continued to decline in March 2026. Cumulatively, in the first three months of the year, export value reached USD 208 million, down 4% compared to the same period in 2025. The export landscape shows clear divergence across markets: while the U.S. and EU remain challenging, markets such as Russia, the Middle East, Egypt, the Philippines, and Mexico have emerged as growth bright spots.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Quang Ngai Province, shrimp farming costs are rising sharply due to लगातार increases in feed, fuel, and input material prices, while farm-gate shrimp prices are declining. This has significantly reduced farmers’ profit margins and increased production risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports are experiencing impressive growth, reflecting expanding global demand as well as the sector’s development potential. However, behind the strong growth figures lie limitations in production capacity and supply chains, highlighting the need for sustainable development in the coming period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 have shown notable growth. However, escalating geopolitical tensions in the region have increasingly impacted export activities since March. This situation presents a challenge of balancing market expansion opportunities with rising trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The Quang Tri Department of Agriculture and Environment has instructed localities to base their stocking schedules on actual conditions in each farming area, while developing plans, allocating resources, and implementing synchronized measures for disease prevention and disaster risk management in aquaculture production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first two months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cakes and surimi exceeded USD 45 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025, indicating a positive outlook for this product segment amid recovering demand in many markets.
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