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 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain increased by 13% compared to 2024. This growth trend has continued into the first two months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs statistics, export turnover to this market reached nearly USD 3 million in January–February 2026, up 101% year-on-year and significantly higher than the same period in 2024. This development indicates that Spain is once again becoming a notable destination for Vietnamese tuna amid strong demand for tuna raw materials and products in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The 2026 brackish water shrimp farming season in the Mekong Delta has started earlier than usual, mainly driven by positive market signals, as shrimp prices in 2025 remained high and supply was limited. Many enterprises and farms in Cần Thơ, Cà Mau, and Vĩnh Long have proactively stocked early to seize opportunities. By early 2026, stocking areas in many localities had reached a high proportion of planned targets, with intensive and high-tech farming models expanding rapidly.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States recorded remarkable growth in 2025, opening up major opportunities while also presenting considerable challenges. The U.S. remains the largest importer of Vietnamese tilapia fillets, with export turnover reaching USD 40 million—an increase of up to 499% compared to 2024. This impressive growth reflects strong demand in the U.S. market, as supply from competing countries such as China has been constrained by tariffs and rising production costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Pangasius remains a strategic export commodity in Vietnam’s seafood sector. Entering 2026, the industry faces a strong need to transition from volume-based growth to a value-driven development model, with a focus on quality, food safety, and sustainability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Following damage caused by Storm No. 13 in late 2025, brackish water shrimp farming in Gia Lai is being rapidly restored. In key farming areas such as Tuy Phước and Tuy Phước Đông, farmers are focusing on rehabilitating ponds, repairing infrastructure, and treating the environment in preparation for the 2026 crop.
(seafood.vasep.com) Facing the decline in fishery resources, Vietnam is accelerating livelihood transitions for fishermen to reduce fishing pressure and move toward sustainable development. Marine fish stocks have dropped significantly from 4.82 million tons in 2000–2005 to 3.95 million tons in 2016–2020.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp industry is entering a period of strong transformation with the emergence of various high-tech farming models, helping improve productivity and competitiveness. Over the past 5–10 years, farming practices have shifted from traditional methods to intensive and super-intensive systems, featuring lined ponds, environmental sensors, automated feeding, and data management.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With a focus on sustainable development, high-tech application, and climate change adaptation, An Giang Province aims to maintain its brackish water shrimp production in 2026 at a level equivalent to the previous year. Specifically, output is projected to reach over 155,510 tons, serving both domestic consumption and export processing, thereby sustaining the fisheries sector’s key role in the local economic structure.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the Mekong Delta, key pangasius farming provinces such as An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho are accelerating the transition toward a circular economy model, contributing to higher product value and reduced environmental impact. Instead of focusing solely on farming and processing, the pangasius value chain is increasingly utilizing by-products and waste streams to generate added value.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s scallop exports are entering a phase of impressive growth, as the global market undergoes significant restructuring. In 2025, scallop export value reached nearly USD 66 million, up 49% from USD 44 million in 2024. This upward momentum has continued and accelerated into early 2026, with exports totaling USD 18.1 million in the first two months alone—an increase of 166% year-on-year. This represents an exceptionally high growth rate, reflecting the rapid expansion of a relatively new product segment within Vietnam’s mollusk export portfolio.
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