The two largest markets of this product, China and the US, both reduced imports by 22% and 64%, respectively. After a deep decline in January 2023, pangasius exports to China increased by 26% in February 2023, partly showing a positive signal in this market.
Exports to the US market have not recovered while exports to the EU also had a more positive signal thanks to the German market doubling imports of Vietnamese pangasius. Many other markets also suffered a drop of 12-61%.
Global food inflation along with high inventories has caused a fall in demand and import prices, which has negatively affected export sales of Vietnamese pangasius in many major markets.
In the first quarter of 2023, pangasius exports to the EU market reached 45 million USD, down 4% compared to the same period last year (46.7 million USD). Most markets in the EU increased imports of Vietnamese pangasius, of which many markets recorded double-digit growth, namely Romania (36%), Sweden (53%), Denmark (34%), Bulgaria (49%). Some smaller markets in Europe recorded positive 3-digit growth such as: Germany (100%), Lithuania (429%), Finland (436%).
Besides the EU, Vietnam's pangasius exports to some other markets in this period also grew positively such as: to Singapore reached US$8.7 million, up 35% over the same period last year, to the UK reached $16.2 million, up 34%. Although the UK has the highest inflation rate compared to other major economies, it is still among the few markets that have recorded positive growth in Vietnam's pangasius imports.
In the first quarter of 2023, most pangasius enterprises had to deal with negative growth compared to the same period last year. Top 5 largest pangasius exporters including Vinh Hoan, NAVICO, I.D.I Corp, Van Duc Tien Giang, GODACO, accounting for 34.9% of export turnover, all experienced a decrease in sales by 7-43%.
The seafood industry in general, and the pangasius industry in particular, face challenges from the end of 2022 due to prolonged inflation and high inventories
The seafood industry in general, and the pangasius industry in particular, face challenges from the end of 2022 due to prolonged inflation and high inventories. In addition to market difficulties, pangasius processing and exporting enterprises also face difficulties in terms of raw materials, credit and production. Input costs from broodstock to feed and other costs are constantly rising, farmers “abandon” ponds, leading to the risk of shortage of raw materials. Both farmers and export processing enterprises fall into a lack of capital to maintain production and business.
The current context of the pangasius industry is in need of the cooperation and support of the Government and state agencies as well as the solidation of farmers and businesses.
Pangasius exports in the coming time are mainly expected to China, some European countries such as the UK, Germany, Portugal and the Middle East markets. Pangasius exports are expected to recover in the third quarter of 2023, thanks to trade promotion programs.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(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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