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
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(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports are holding double-digit growth, but the opportunities are not spread evenly across product groups and markets. As businesses draw up their plans for 2027, Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS2026) offers a chance to look ahead together: what to sell, where to sell it, and how to prepare for growth in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) With less than two weeks to go, the Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026) will officially take place in Can Tho. Under the theme “Seafood Market Outlook 2027–2029 – Opportunities and Potential for Double-Digit Export Growth,” the Summit is organized by VASEP at a time when seafood businesses are facing rapid market shifts, changing buyer demand, trade policy changes and growing competitive pressure all at once.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On October 28, 2026, the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo opened in Qingdao, China. The expo takes place over three days from October 28 to 30, 2026. This is a prestigious specialized seafood exhibition organized annually by Sea Fare Exposition Inc.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $7 million, marking a 51% year-on-year increase. The bloc rstands as the fourth-largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, trailing Brazil, the US, and Saudi Arabia.
(vasep.com.vn) VASEP has officially announced the program for Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026 (VSS 2026), featuring five in-depth sessions covering industry outlooks, trade barriers, buyer demand, the domestic market, and solutions to improve productivity and reduce costs across the seafood value chain.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.7 billion in the first nine months of 2026, up 11% year on year. Although growth has been supported by China and several markets within the CPTPP, momentum is slowing as exports to the United States and the European Union decline. Tariff pressures, international competition, and raw material challenges are creating significant hurdles for exporters in the final months of the year.
(vasep.com.vn) Markets are changing faster, buyer requirements are becoming more demanding, and trade barriers are growing increasingly complex. In this environment, seafood businesses need more than an understanding of current market conditions. They need a longer-term perspective to answer a critical question: Where will growth opportunities come from in 2027–2029, and what should businesses do now to prepare? This is one of the key reasons why VASEP is organizing Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the Middle East reached US$113 million, up 7% year on year from the same period in 2025. Growth has become more pronounced in recent months. In August alone, exports to the region totaled US$20 million, an increase of 24%. This indicates that demand for Vietnamese pangasius in the Middle East is gradually recovering after a slowdown in March, although the pace of recovery varies across markets.
(vasep.com.vn) China’s shrimp imports continued to grow strongly in 2026, while Vietnam’s shrimp exports to the market also recorded notable growth. However, behind these positive figures lie two distinct trends: Chinese consumption is growing more slowly than imports, and lobster accounts for a substantial share of Vietnam’s shrimp exports to China, making its product mix significantly different from those of Ecuador and India. Exporters therefore need to assess each segment carefully to understand the opportunities and risks.
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