Compared to the peak of $ 310 million reached in April, sales in October fell by nearly half. The market is no longer as favorable as in the first half of the year. Inflation causes demand to decrease month by month, especially in the US, EU, UK markets, even in the CPTPP markets or markets with geographical advantages.
Specifically, pangasius exports to the US in October decreased by nearly 25% to 32 million USD. Starting from July, pangasius exports to the US market only fluctuated between 32-33 million USD per month, a dramatic decrease compared to the peak of 81 million USD in April.
According to statistics of the US Department of Agriculture, by the end of the third quarter of 2022, the country has imported about 104.5 thousand tons of frozen pangasius fillets (HS code 03046200) from Vietnam, worth 610.5 million USD, an increase 19% in volume but 66% higher in value compared to the same period last year. The average price of frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam to the US increased by 53.3% from 2.78 USD to 4.26 USD/kg. Frozen pangasius fillets account for nearly 60% of the total volume of fish imported from Vietnam into the US, accounting for 43% in value. This is also the product with the highest increase in import price among seafood products imported into the US in the first 3 quarters of this year.
Pangasius exports in October reached the lowest level since the beginning of the year.
Pangasius exports to main markets in the EU have different trends in October 2022. While exports to Belgium decreased by 25%, exports to Germany increased sharply by 384%, the Netherlands still kept a slight growth of 10%, and Spain increased by 142%.
In October, exports to small markets that are considered potential in recent years such as Mexico, Malaysia, Colombia, Saudi Arabia all decreased by 13-53% over the same period last year.
In the downward trends, pangasius exports to China and HongKong are still increasing. Pangasius exports to China still increased by 23% and to Hong Kong increased by 123%.
By the end of October, China is still the no. 1 market of Vietnamese pangasius with a total export value of 594 million USD, accounting for 28% and increasing 106% compared to the same period in 2021. This market accounts for 30% with 632 million USD in export sales of Vietnamese pangasius (if HongKong is included).
Besides, there are still some small markets that are increasing imports of Vietnam’s pangasius such as Russia (increased by 5 times), Thailand (increased by 13%).
With the current situation, pangasius exports by the end of the year can reach about $2.45-2.5 billion, up 54% compared to 2021.
Compiled by Thuy Linh
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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