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) On July 9, 2026, the Embassy of Vietnam in Brazil organized the seminar titled “Sharing Information on Vietnam-Brazil Economic, Trade and Investment Relations in the First Half of 2026” to provide updates on bilateral cooperation and strengthen connections among government agencies, industry associations, and business communities of the two countries.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood exports in the first 6 months of the year continued to be a bright spot with a total turnover of 5.7 billion USD, an increase of 11.4% compared to the same period last year. By commodity group, seafood is one of the three groups with a trade balance in the first 6 months of 2026 in a surplus state with 4.13 billion USD, an increase of 17%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) For many years, Vietnam’s seafood industry has been recognized as one of the country’s key export pillars. Products such as shrimp, pangasius, tuna, squid, octopus, and a wide range of other seafood have reached hundreds of markets worldwide. Yet behind these impressive export figures lies a significant challenge: a substantial share of Vietnam’s seafood export value still comes from minimally processed products, contract manufacturing, and raw material exports—segments characterized by low profit margins and high vulnerability to fluctuations in global prices.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the context of a global economy shifting powerfully toward green and sustainable values, Vietfish 2026 is far more than just a commercial trade fair. It has become a strategic rendezvous and a "comprehensive ecosystem"—a convergence of value, knowledge, and sustainable growth opportunities for the entire industry chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Colombia continued their strong upward momentum in May 2026. Export value to the market reached USD 4 million, up 24% compared to the same month in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first five months of 2026 totaled USD 24 million, an impressive 48% increase year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Hai Phong's aquaculture sector is accelerating the adoption of high technologies in aquaculture to adapt to climate change, with red tilapia and tilapia identified as the key cultured species for priority development.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached nearly US$1.1 billion in June 2026, up 21.0% year-on-year. Cumulative exports in the first half of 2026 totaled nearly US$5.8 billion, representing a 12.8% increase compared with the same period last year. Exports to China and Hong Kong continued to accelerate, while shipments to the United States rebounded strongly in June. In contrast, exports to the EU, Japan, and the Middle East remained sluggish or recorded slight declines.
(vasep.com.vn) Tilapia is playing an increasingly important role in Vietnam’s aquaculture sector, driven not only by growing market opportunities but also by its ability to meet increasingly stringent requirements on quality, food safety, and traceability. In practice, tilapia farming in Vietnam is not a spontaneous or loosely regulated activity; rather, it operates under a comprehensive legal and technical framework covering the entire value chain—from hatcheries and farming to processing and exports.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached USD 1.9 billion in the first five months of 2026, up 12% compared with the same period last year. Amid continued volatility in the global seafood market, this result demonstrates that the shrimp sector has maintained positive growth momentum, supported by improving demand in several Asian markets, particularly China.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On June 16, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau Province announced that the locality has established a farming area code for nearly 30,400 hectares of mud crab aquaculture and granted export facility codes to five enterprises eligible to export mud crab officially to markets such as China, Cambodia, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
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