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) Vietnam’s seafood exports in February 2026 reached approximately USD 707 million, up 8% compared to the same period last year. Cumulatively, exports in the first two months of 2026 totaled USD 1.7 billion, an increase of 20.2% year-on-year. The results show that the sector’s recovery momentum has remained relatively solid following strong growth in January, although the pace slowed noticeably in February for several key products and major markets. Within the overall picture, shrimp continues to be the largest pillar, pangasius rebounds strongly, while tuna exports and the U.S. and Korean markets are sending signals that warrant closer monitoring. In March, seafood exports are expected to gain additional momentum from markets other than the U.S., potentially supporting stronger growth.
(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.
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