Spain is the biggest importer of pangasius among European countries. According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnamese pangasius export to this destination valued at US$21.5 million in the first quarter of 2013, down of 11.7 percent over the same period of the last year. The drop was not significant compared to the decreasing level recorded in Spain’s imports of other white meat fish species.
Spanish consumers are eating less frozen fish to turn to other sources of protein. In 2012, they bought more meat (including fresh and processed meat products) than the previous year due to its lower price.
In 2012, fish consumption fell down of 12 percent against that of 2011 as prices climbed up, pushing people to cut their expenses. The National Federation of Provincial Associations of Fish and Congealed Products Retail (Fedepesca) reported that, in 2012, Spanish fish consumption decreased of 1.2 percent in volume and 1.6 percent in value compared to 2011.
With a coast of over 8,000 kilometers, Spain has a developed fishing industry, but it still depends on imports, as wild fish catch does not satisfy domestic demand. Imported fish products make up 50 percent of Spain’s yearly consumption. Pangasius was one of the key imported items, because of reasonable price, during the tough economic time.
According to Mercabarna Food Wholesale Center, in April 2013, frozen pangasius fillets priced averagely at EUR2.4 per kilogram, higher than that of two previous months. Some importers predicted that the fish price will be maintained on these values in May.
It will be hard for Vietnamese companies to boost exports of pangasius to Spain in 2013 because the country continues to sink deeper into economic recession. The Central Bank of Spain predicted that the economy will shrink of 1.5 percent this year after reporting a 1.4 percent drop in 2012.
Currently, Spain has low demand for buying pangasius for domestic inventory but some importers says that they still need to purchase pangasius from Vietnam to supply Spanish households who still consider the fish as an important part in their daily foodstuff thanks to its affordable price. Imports are hoped to recover in 2014 when the country should go out of economic downturn.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The year 2025 marked a pivotal milestone for Vietnam’s seafood industry in its restructuring process toward sustainability, transparency, and higher value creation, amid continued uncertainties in the global economic and trade environment. Prolonged inflation in major economies, the rising trend of trade protectionism, and increasingly stringent requirements related to environmental standards, traceability, and social responsibility have posed significant challenges to seafood production and exports. Nevertheless, overcoming these pressures, Vietnam’s seafood sector has gradually demonstrated its adaptability, maintained growth momentum, and laid an important foundation for the next stage of development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Amid the increasingly evident impacts of drought and saltwater intrusion, the shrimp-rice production model in Ca Mau province continues to prove itself as a viable direction, contributing to higher farmer incomes, improved soil conditions and the promotion of ecological and sustainable agricultural development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The management of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and handling of violations in the fisheries sector in Lam Dong province have continued to be implemented in a synchronized and stringent manner, contributing to raising awareness of legal compliance among fishermen and aiming to end illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Can Tho’s fishery industry sustained steady growth in 2025 with total aquatic and marine output reaching nearly 783,000 tons, fulfilling 100% of the annual target. Aquaculture, capture fisheries and fishing fleet management were further strengthened, aiming for sustainable development in the coming years.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export turnover reached nearly USD 2.2 billion, up 8% year-on-year. This result indicates that pangasius exports maintained their growth momentum despite significant volatility in the global market environment. In December 2025, pangasius export value reached USD 200 million, up 10% compared to December 2024. This solid performance in the final month of the year reflects increased import demand for consumption and inventory replenishment in key markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Spain experienced significant fluctuations. According to Vietnam Customs, during the first 11 months of 2025, export turnover for the first 11 months of the year edged up by 0.3% year-on-year, reaching nearly $15 million.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed Decision No. 16/QD-TTg, dated January 5, 2026, approving the implementation plan for the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA). Under the plan, in the coming period, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-affiliated entities and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities must institutionalize and execute tasks focused on the dissemination of information regarding VIFTA and the Israeli market; legislative and institutional development, as well as enhancing competitiveness and human resource growth...
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Beyond achieving double-digit growth, Vietnam’s fish cake and surimi exports are showing a notable year-end "inflection point": the EU his accelerating with nearly twofold growth, China & Hong Kong are rising sharply, while the largest market, South Korea, signaled a slowdown in November. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover of fish cake and surimi reached $327 million in the first 11 months of 2025, up 22% year-on-year; November 2025 alone accounted for $35 million, marking a 5% increase. This serves as a critical foundation for exporters to reassess market structures and competitive intensity while finalizing order strategies for 2026.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ca Mau, widely regarded as the nation’s “shrimp capital”, continued its strong performance in 2025 as shrimp output reached nearly 600,000 tons, maintaining its position as Vietnam’s leading shrimp-producing locality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On December 29, 2025, at the 2025 Pangasius Industry Review Conference held in Can Tho City, the Vietnam Pangasius Association announced that fingerling prices have surged to record levels due to acute supply shortages.
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