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) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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