China and Hong Kong continued to be Vietnam’s largest pangasius importers. In February 2025, pangasius exports to this market reached USD 36 million, an increase of 56% compared to the same period last year. However, total exports to China & Hong Kong in the first two months of the year amounted to USD 67 million, reflecting an 11% decline year-on-year. This drop was primarily due to a significant decrease in January, as Vietnam observed an extended Lunar New Year holiday.
Countries benefiting from the CPTPP agreement emerged as Vietnam’s second-largest pangasius-consuming market, surpassing the U.S. In the first two months of 2025, pangasius exports to CPTPP markets reached USD 53 million, an increase of 42% year-on-year. Notably, in February 2025 alone, export value surged to USD 29 million, representing a remarkable 128% increase compared to February 2024.
Despite dropping to third place among Vietnam’s top pangasius export markets, shipments to the U.S. in February 2025 still reached USD 22 million, up 37% from February 2024. Cumulative exports to the U.S. for the first two months of the year totaled USD 39 million, reflecting a 16% increase year-on-year.
The U.S. remains a key market for Vietnam’s pangasius export industry. However, since the beginning of 2025, with Donald Trump’s official return to the White House and the swift implementation of “America First” policies, trade relations with Vietnam, including the pangasius sector, have been affected. Future developments remain uncertain, particularly regarding potential new tariffs and their impact on Vietnam’s pangasius industry. Meanwhile, the rising competitiveness of tilapia, especially from China, is becoming an increasingly pressing issue.
Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil maintained a robust upward trajectory. In February 2025, export value reached USD 15 million, an impressive 159% increase compared to the same period last year. Cumulative exports to Brazil for the first two months of 2025 totaled USD 28 million, up 42% year-on-year.
Pangasius exports to the EU continued their positive growth trend, with February 2025 export value nearing USD 13 million, a 61% increase compared to February 2024. Cumulative exports to the EU for the first two months of the year reached USD 26 million, reflecting a 24% increase year-on-year. The Netherlands remained the largest importer of Vietnamese pangasius within the bloc, posting a 24% growth rate in the first two months of the year.
Vietnam’s pangasius exports in 2025 are expected to continue their growth trajectory, with farmers and fishermen serving as the driving force behind the industry’s aquaculture, processing, production, and export activities. However, new challenges are anticipated, including market dynamics, increased competition, and geopolitical factors. Despite these challenges, Vietnamese pangasius, with its delicious taste, high nutritional value, rich omega-3 content, and affordability, is well-positioned to sustain its success and win over consumers worldwide.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports recorded strong growth, reaching USD 15 million, up 109% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, in the first three months of 2026, export value reached USD 38 million, an increase of 174% year-on-year. This result highlights the sector’s robust expansion and reflects rapid growth across multiple markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In March 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 182 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively, exports in the first three months of 2026 totaled USD 514 million, an increase of 17% year-on-year, indicating that the growth momentum is being maintained despite signs of slowdown in some markets during March.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) During peak heat periods, farmers raising pangasius, tilapia, and other freshwater fish in Dong Thap are implementing various technical measures to reduce risks and maintain stable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Japan continues to be one of Vietnam’s most important and stable shrimp markets. In recent years, shrimp exports to this market have fluctuated in line with Japan’s broader economic and consumption cycles, yet Japan remains a major, high-value destination with stringent standards.
(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.
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