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) According to the 2025 review and 2026 outlook conference held by the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance on the afternoon of January 7, Vietnam’s seafood sector has set a total production target of over 10 million tons in 2026, representing a 0.6% increase year-on-year. Of this total, capture fisheries are projected at around 3.75 million tons (down 2.1%), while aquaculture output is expected to reach 6.25 million tonnes (up 2.2%) compared with 2025.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Sao Ta Food JSC (Fimex, Ticker: FMC) has announced its 2025 business results, reporting revenue of over $300 million (approximately 7.8 trillion VND), representing a 19.8% increase year-on-year; projected profit is expected to reach approximately 420 billion VND.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s fisheries sector concluded 2025 with landmark achievements: export turnover reached a record high, despite heightened volatility in global trade and increasingly stringent barriers from major markets, most notably the United States. Amid a mix of opportunities and challenges, the fisheries sector also witnessed important policy shifts. Together, these developments form a multifaceted picture of an industry proactively adapting and restructuring toward a trajectory of sustainable development.
(seafoos.vasep.com.vn) According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Vinh Long, the province’s shrimp farming area reached 69,800 hectares in 2025, including 7,500 hectares under high-tech farming models, 18,820 tons of black tiger shrimp and 293,000 tons of whiteleg shrimp.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Building on a robust growth momentum in 2025, Nghe An province has set a strategic goal to reach a total fisheries output of 270,000 tons by 2026, reinforcing its position as a key hub for aquaculture and exploitation.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho City statistics indicate that in 2025, following the merger of three former administrative entities - Can Tho, Hau Giang and Soc Trang - fisheries output in 2025 increased by 6.23% compared with 2024 with aquaculture production nearly 9.1 times higher than capture fisheries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ca Mau province has achieved significant, comprehensive and substantive progress in combating IUU fishing in 2025, successfully fulfilling all tasks directed by the central government and strengthening fisheries governance. These efforts have established a solid foundation for the nationwide effort to lift the EC’s "yellow card" warning.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau has exceeded its 2025 production targets, reaching nearly 595,000 tons of shrimp. This milestone reinforces the province’s position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp producer and a bright spot in the country’s seafood sector.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, cumulative shrimp exports from the beginning of the year through November reached $4.3 billion, up 21% year-on-year, continuing to serve as the primary growth driver of the entire seafood sector. In November alone, export turnover amounted to $393 million, up 14%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, the fisheries sector continued to stand out as a bright spot in Ca Mau’s economic landscape, maintaining positive growth in both output and value.
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