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) In the first months of 2026, fishing activities in Quang Tri province recorded many positive signals, with output reaching over 15,941 tons. This result not only demonstrates fishermen’s efforts to stay offshore but also reflects the effectiveness of management and support measures implemented by local authorities.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first months of 2026, IUU prevention models focused on communication and mobilizing fishermen to comply with fisheries laws and avoid encroaching on foreign waters—related to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing—have been implemented in coastal localities of Lam Dong province and have delivered initial positive results.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The sharp rise in raw pangasius prices to record levels is sending positive signals for the industry, but experts warn of potential supply–demand imbalances if production is not tightly controlled.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, the country’s total canned tuna export value in 2025 reached over USD 275 million, down 8% compared to 2024. Vietnamese canned tuna products were present in approximately 80 markets worldwide. However, the 2025 picture shows clear divergence: the U.S. maintained stability, the EU declined sharply, while several Middle East–North Africa (MENA) markets accelerated.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s crab exports reached nearly USD 86 million, up almost 6% compared to 2024. A notable feature of 2025 was the strong market concentration in the United States, which accounted for more than 81% of Vietnam’s total crab export value, up 10% from the previous year. In contrast, exports to several Asian markets declined significantly, resulting in only modest overall growth for the year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded impressive growth, with total export turnover reaching over USD 99 million, highlighting the increasingly important role of this product in the country’s seafood export structure. Of this total, tilapia fillets and other fish meat products accounted for USD 61 million, representing 61% of total export value and reaffirming their position as the key product category.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp seed quality is considered the “first link” and a decisive factor affecting the efficiency of the entire commercial shrimp production chain. High-quality seed directly influences survival rates, growth performance, and disease resistance, thereby determining production costs, productivity, and farmers’ profitability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of its agricultural restructuring strategy toward sustainability, Quang Tri Province is gradually promoting environmentally friendly aquaculture models. Among these, organic-oriented golden pompano farming is considered a promising direction, aligned with the goals of enhancing production value and building sustainable rural areas.
(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.
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