Vietnam’s pangasius exports maintain growth in first eight months, led by China and Brazil

China maintains steady growth

China continued to lead Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for 27% of total export value in the first eight months of this year. In August 2026 alone, exports to the market reached US$60 million, up 18% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first eight months reached US$417 million, up 29%.

Strong growth in China continued to make a significant contribution to the sector’s overall performance, amid pressure in several other major markets. Demand in China remained relatively stable, creating opportunities for Vietnamese exporters to further develop product categories suited to local consumption and processing needs.

U.S. demand declines sharply, while Brazil recovers

In the U.S. market, pangasius exports fell to just US$14 million in August, down 49% year-on-year. In the first eight months, export value reached US$203 million, down 13%.

The results of the 21st administrative review (POR21) of anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese pangasius have been announced. The unfavorable duty rates for Vietnamese pangasius products have affected importer sentiment, particularly amid continued uncertainty surrounding trade tariff policies.

Meanwhile, demand in Brazil showed signs of recovery. In August, pangasius exports to Brazil reached US$19 million, up 73% year-on-year, while cumulative exports in the first eight months totaled US$124 million, up 8%.

CPTPP and EU markets continue to grow

CPTPP markets continued to post positive results, with Vietnam’s pangasius exports reaching US$264 million in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year-on-year. In the EU, exports reached US$130 million, up 10% from the same period last year.

Both market groups also recorded positive growth in August, helping support the overall export market structure amid the decline in the U.S. market.

Frozen fillets remain dominant, while value-added products have room to grow

In terms of product structure, frozen pangasius fillets remained the leading category, reaching US$1.2 billion in the first eight months, up 12% year-on-year. Frozen/dried whole fish, cuts and other products under HS03 reached US$243 million, up 2%.

Meanwhile, value-added pangasius products under HS16 have yet to show signs of recovery. Export value reached only US$30 million in the first eight months, down 13% year-on-year. This indicates that there is still considerable room for developing value-added products, but expansion in this segment needs to be aligned with market-specific requirements in terms of taste, specifications, convenience and standards.

Market divergence to continue in the final months of the year

August results show that Vietnam’s pangasius export markets are becoming increasingly divergent. China continued to maintain growth, Brazil showed a recovery in demand, while the U.S. recorded a sharp decline amid new trade developments. CPTPP and EU markets continued to post positive growth.

After eight months, export value reached US$1.5 billion, up 10% year-on-year, indicating that the pangasius sector has maintained growth momentum in 2026. However, performance in the final months of the year will depend on demand in major markets, developments related to POR21 in the U.S., the ability to sustain growth in China and Brazil, as well as demand for individual product categories.

Amid intensifying competition in the whitefish market, maintaining consistent quality, ensuring reliable supply, controlling costs and developing products tailored to individual markets will remain important factors for Vietnam’s pangasius exports.