The fluctuations of the world such as war, high global inflation have caused Vietnam's pangasius exports from the beginning of the year until now to continuously decline. Vietnam pangasius export turnover in May 2023 reached 160 million USD, down 36% compared to May 2022. Accumulated pangasius exports in the first 5 months of 2023 reached USD 730 million, down 40% compared to the same period last year.
By the end of May 2023, China and Hong Kong continued to be the largest import market for Vietnamese pangasius, with a value of US$233 million, down 37% compared to the same period last year. China is still the largest single market for pangasius, with a value of 217 million USD.
Standing in second place is the US market with 118 million USD in the first 5 months of 2023, down 62% compared to the same period in 2022. In May 2023 alone, exports to this market also fell 53% and only reached 32 million USD. Pangasius exports to the US tend to decrease from the last quarter of 2022 and continue to decline in the first 5 months of this year due to the large inventory.
Ranked in third place is the CPTPP market with a total import value of 94 million USD, down 36%. Mexico continues to be the leading market in the bloc in importing pangasius from Vietnam with an export turnover of 26 million USD, down 50% compared to the same period in 2022. Next is Singapore, Canada, and Japan. While most of the markets in the bloc reduced imports of Vietnamese pangasius, only Singapore recorded a positive growth of 16% with a value of 15 million USD.
By the end of May 2023, pangasius exports to the EU market reached US$77 million, down 13% over the same period last year. Many markets in the bloc fell from 23% to 30%, except for Germany, which still recorded high growth with 67%. Despite high inflation, consumers in this market are more interested in frozen products to save costs. Many key markets in the EU reduced imports of Vietnamese pangasius, including the Netherlands by 27%, Belgium by 24%, Spain by 31%, etc.
Besides the EU, Vietnam's pangasius export turnover to some other main markets also decreased, such as: to Brazil down 24%, to Thailand down 48%, to Colombia down 30%. Among Vietnamese pangasius import markets, pangasius exports to the UK and Saudi Arabia were positive with growth of 8% and 50%, respectively. Germany and the UK are the two countries with the highest inflation rates, but these markets still recorded positive growth.
Exports of all Vietnamese pangasius products decreased. Exports of frozen pangasius fillets/cuts (HS code 0304) reached 603 million USD in the first 5 months of this year, down 44%; Export of fresh/frozen/dried pangasius (HS code 03) reached 115 million USD, down 7%; Export of processed pangasius (HS code 16) reached 11 million, down 31%.
The continuous Russia-Ukraine war, prolonged global inflation and inventories have significantly affected Vietnam's pangasius exports to markets during the first 5 months of 2023. Pangasius production and export are suffering from high input costs, along with tight credit and high interest rates, making it difficult for businesses to source capital.
When businesses reduce sales, feed mills and breeders also reduce production output. Therefore, interrelated parties need to closely cooperate with enterprises. Pangasius exporters also expect the Government and ministries to have timely support policies on support packages, reduce interest rates for businesses to help businesses survive this difficult period.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On June 16, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau Province announced that the locality has established a farming area code for nearly 30,400 hectares of mud crab aquaculture and granted export facility codes to five enterprises eligible to export mud crab officially to markets such as China, Cambodia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) While Vietnam’s shrimp exports to many major markets continued to post positive growth in the first months of 2026, exports to the United States declined, highlighting growing competitive pressures and trade barriers facing the Vietnamese shrimp industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Egypt is emerging as one of the most promising destinations for Vietnamese tuna exports in 2026. During the first four months of the year, export turnover to this market exceeded USD 7.3 million, marking a sharp increase compared to the same period over the previous two years. As Egypt’s tuna imports continue to recover and demand for canned tuna remains strong, the market is becoming increasingly attractive for Vietnamese tuna processors and exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During the first four months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP member countries reached nearly USD 128 million, accounting for 18% of the country’s total pangasius export value and increasing by 21% compared to the same period in 2025. Demand patterns varied significantly across the bloc: Mexico primarily imported fresh and frozen pangasius products, while Japan and Canada recorded substantial shares of processed products. Australia remained focused on frozen fillets but continued to maintain a portion of processed imports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Despite the slow recovery of the U.S. market and continued trade-related challenges facing Vietnam’s shrimp industry, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation (MPC) has set ambitious targets for 2026. The company aims to produce 68,800 metric tons of finished shrimp products, generate consolidated revenue of VND 19.9 trillion, and achieve VND 1.059 trillion in pre-tax profit. If achieved, these figures would represent the highest revenue and profit levels in the company’s history.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) HungHau Foods Joint Stock Company (HungHau Foods) has been honored at the 33rd Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, receiving two prestigious awards: “Top 10 Outstanding Asia-Pacific Enterprises 2026” and “Top 10 Outstanding Entrepreneurs” awarded to HungHau Foods CEO, Ms. Nguyen Yen.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a period of sluggish imports in 2025, the Chinese market has returned with strong shrimp purchasing momentum in the first months of 2026. However, alongside rising demand comes an increasingly stringent import control system, covering quarantine requirements, food safety standards, registration procedures, and traceability. This makes China a market that offers both significant opportunities and growing risks for Vietnamese shrimp exporters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Recently, in Long Xuyen City, An Giang Province, the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD) and the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) organized a workshop to announce the results of the project “Food Loss Assessment in the Pangasius Value Chain in the Mekong River Region.” The project aims to provide scientific evidence to support the sustainable development of Vietnam’s pangasius industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Shrimp prices in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta have recovered since early May, helping to improve farmers’ confidence and accelerate stocking activities for the 2026 farming season. However, farmers remain cautious due to rising input costs, unfavorable weather conditions, and disease risks.
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