According to the ITC, in the first 9 months of 2016, Vietnam claimed as the 2nd largest supplier of whitefish products to the U.S. (behind China), accounting for 15-28% of total whitefish imports into the country.
So far, Vietnam’s pangasius still had to strongly compete with tilapia and cod in the market. In which, Chinese tilapia, including frozen tilapia fillets (HS code 030461) and fresh/chilled tilapia fillets (HS code 030431), made up 24-45% of total whitefish imports into the U.S. Meanwhile, imports of frozen pangasius and catfish fillets (HS code 030462) picked up the 2nd largest share of 19-26%.
According to the latest figures from the National Marine Fisheries Service America (NMFS), in Jan-Aug 2016, tilapia imports into the U.S decreased by 9% in volume (134.8 thousand MT) and 20% in value (US$528.1 million) over the same period last year.
The U.S mainly imported frozen tilapia fillets, however, in the period, the import volume of this item fell by 15% in volume to 88,148 MT and 24% in value to US$360 million. Most of frozen tilapia fillets to the U.S. came from China. Imports of fresh tilapia fillets remained stable in volume but down 15% in the import value compared with the same period last year.
Through Oct 2016, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the U.S. valued at US$319.8 million, accounting for 23% of total exports and increasing by 22.7% over the same period last year. In Oct 2016, exports to this market registered the good growth of 19% compared to the same period in 2015. So far, the USDA Catfish Inspection program has not affected much on Vietnam’s export activities yet.
Also according to the NMFS, the imports volume of pangasius into the U.S. in Jan-Aug this year reached 87.9 thousand MT, up 17%; worth by US$265 million, up 9% from the same period last year. Of that, about 96% of total imports are frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam, with the volume of 84.5 thousand MT (up 19%) and value of US$242.5 million (up 11%).
Thus, in the first 8 months of 2016, imports of Chinese tilapia fell while those of Vietnam’s pangasius rose, which was favorable signs for Vietnam’s pangasius in the U.S. this year.
Written by Ta Ha
Compiled by Dieu Thuy
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Nearly US$1.7 billion is the projected gap in 2029 between the baseline scenario and a scenario in which Vietnam’s seafood exports grow by 10% annually, according to calculations by VASEP to be presented at Vietnam Seafood Summit 2026. This gap raises a key question for the entire industry: Which markets, products and supply chain improvements will generate the additional growth?
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Although Germany’s tuna imports have declined, Vietnam’s tuna exports to the market continue to show positive signs. Notably, export value recovered strongly in Q3/2026, and German import data also show Vietnamese products strengthening their position amid competition among suppliers.
(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 - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn