After a slowdown in the Q3/ 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China rebounded strongly in October 2025, recording the highest monthly value since the beginning of the year. However, the ability to maintain this momentum will depend heavily on domestic consumption trends in China and the level of competition from other seafood products in the region.
Vietnamese exporters are facing mounting pressure in the Chinese market. Chinese tilapia - a lower-priced whitefish substitute - is being aggressively pushed into the domestic market after encountering persistent export difficulties. Following the meeting between China and the United States leaders on October 30, Washington announced a reduction in import duties on Chinese tilapia from 55% to 45% and a suspension of new retaliatory tariffs until November 2026. Despite the 10% tariff cut, the overall duty level remains prohibitive, severely limiting access to the U.S. market. As a result, China is highly likely to prioritize domestic consumption of its tilapia surplus throughout Q4, increasing direct competitive pressure on frozen Vietnamese pangasius fillets.
Nevertheless, China remains a key market for Vietnam’s pangasius industry. Demand for frozen pangasius fillets remains stable, supported by competitive pricing that aligns well with mass-market segments. In addition, Vietnam benefits from geographic proximity, with significantly lower logistics costs compared to more distant markets, giving local exporters a notable competitive edge.
However, long-term reliance on traditional destinations such as China leaves the sector vulnerable to policy shifts in importing countries. With China’s domestic production rising and demand for standard frozen fillets showing signs of plateauing, Vietnam’s pangasius sector needs to accelerate product diversification offerings for this market. Beyond traditional frozen fillets, expanding into further-processed and value-added products could help exporters improve margins, mitigate risks, and compete more effectively over the long term.
At the same time, the industry must sustain growth in China while aggressively expanding into alternative markets to lower concentration risk. This dual-track approach is essential for ensuring stable outlets and fostering sustainable development in the coming years. In the final two months of 2025, pangasius exports to China are expected to continue growing as consumption typically rises during the festive season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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