The right economic policies have been helping Colombia in developing its economy sustainably, while many other countries are struggling with global economic crisis impacts.
Currently, Colombia’s per-capita fish consumption is 6 kilogram/year. Colombian consumers are becoming more interested in seafood products from Vietnam, particularly pangasius, creating huge opportunities for Vietnamese exporters to enter this market. According to Vietnam Customs, through 15th May, 2013, pangasius exports to Colombia reached US$18.4 million.
Over the recent years, Colombia’s fish aquaculture has remained with annual growth of 6.7 percent but the production was still at a low level to cover the demand. Colombia Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said that fish harvest represented 84 percent of national fish farming; the remainder was shrimp.
In 2011, Colombia produced 61,500 MT of fish species, including 48,000 MT of tilapia (78 percent), 3,000 MT of freshwater farmed salmon… Huila, Valle del Cauca, Tolima and Meta were centers of tilapia farming. Freshwater farmed salmon were mainly breeded in Antioquia, Cauca, Boyaca, Cundinamarca and Narino. Currently, Colombia’s main export item is frozen fish (HS0303) with a total export volume of 41,069 MT and a value of US$79.09 million in 2012.
In 2012, the country imported US$156.758 million of fish products (HS03), up 29.1 percent on that of 2011. In which, Vietnam was the largest supplier with US$47.523 million of import value, accounting for 30 percent. Vietnam is also the leading exporter of frozen fish fillets to Colombia with 16,545 MT and a value of US$37.988 million in 2012.
In 2012 Colombia purchased mostly frozen fish products (HS0303), imports value totaled USS$66.259 million, up 46.4 percent over the previous year. Frozen fillets (HS0304) ranked second with US$65.066 million, up 18.55 percent from 2011; of which frozen pangasius fillets were 8,461 MT.
So far, international investors are turning their attention to Colombia rather than to Brazil, Mexico and Chile like they did in the past years. With a young population and a rapid and high growth, Colombia is becoming a “new economic tiger” of Latin America with an expected steady growth in the coming years. Therefore, there is a great opportunity, for Vietnamese seafood products and for pangasius, to develop in this market in the future.
|
Top 10 fish suppliers to Colombia, US$ mil. Source: ITC |
||||||
|
No. |
Origin |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
1 |
Vietnam |
6.918 |
10.703 |
22.493 |
40.328 |
47.523 |
|
2 |
Chile |
12.881 |
15.163 |
15.406 |
19.525 |
20.860 |
|
3 |
Ecuador |
12.965 |
13.880 |
13.604 |
14.528 |
19.104 |
|
4 |
Senegal |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.345 |
11.321 |
|
5 |
South Africa |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3.348 |
10.285 |
|
6 |
China |
2.931 |
1.975 |
4.942 |
7.190 |
10.267 |
|
7 |
Argentina |
8.728 |
8.995 |
10.363 |
9.416 |
8.401 |
|
8 |
Uruguay |
1.915 |
1.976 |
1.442 |
3.157 |
4.628 |
|
9 |
Trinidad & Tobago |
3.482 |
13.272 |
11.590 |
9.361 |
3.301 |
|
10 |
Namibia |
0 |
0.778 |
0.471 |
0.885 |
2.899 |
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Alongside the development of high-tech shrimp farming, Ha Tinh Province is accelerating the cultivation of high-value freshwater aquatic species, with red tilapia emerging as an effective and sustainable farming model.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
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