Market overview: A blend of bright spots and challenges
China and Hong Kong remain the largest importers of Vietnamese pangasius. By the end of July 2025, exports to this market reached $302 million, down 4% year-on-year, accounting for nearly 25% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value. In July alone, exports to this market dropped 3% to $53 million, reflecting a slowdown in demand, particularly for whole pangasius and frozen fillets segments.
The CPTPP bloc has emerged as a prominent bright spot for Vietnamese pangasius imports. Exports to CPTPP markets in the first seven months of this year reached $208 million in the first seven months of 2025, a 34% increase year-over-year. This growth was driven by markets such as Canada, Malaysia and several Latin American countries, benefiting from tariff advantages and stable consumer demand.
Exports to the U.S. hit $206 million in the first seven months, up 8% compared to previous year. However, July 2025 saw a slight decline (0.3%) to $31 million compared to July 2024. New tariff policies expected from August 1, poses a “big question mark” for the market outlook in the remaining months of the year.
Brazil continues to show strong potential, with exports reaching $106 million in the first seven months, a surge of 64% year-on-year. However, Brazil faces potential indirect impacts from the U.S.’s planned 50% tariff on goods from certain countries, which could affect whitefish, including pangasius.
EU imports of Vietnamese pangasius reached $104 million by July 2025, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. Strong growth in Spain, Belgium, Italy and France offset declines in Germany and the Netherlands.
Processed products: A highlight in export structure
Frozen pangasius fillets remain Vietnam’s key pangasius export, generating $976 million in the first seven months, increase 11% year-on-year. Notably, exports of deeply processed pangasius (HS16) reached $30 million, rise 41% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth reflects a shift toward higher-value products that meet stringent market requirements and reduce risks from tariffs and raw material price fluctuations.
Outlook for the remaining months: Opportunities and challenges
In the second half of 2025, Vietnamese pangasius exports will be simultaneously affected by multiple factors. The potential U.S. tariff hike on whitefish exporters could reshape global supply chains, offering both opportunities to expand market share and risks from price competition.
Additionally, China’s demand requires close monitoring due to its sensitivity to price fluctuations and inventory levels. Meanwhile, the EU and CPTPP are expected to remain reliable “pillars”, supported by FTAs and consistent demand.
In the latter half of 2025, Vietnam’s seafood exports are expected to face headwinds if the U.S enforces a new 20% retaliatory tariff. Pangasius, in particular, will bear significant pressure on costs and pricing, especially as demand in China slows, compelling exporters to diversify into ASEAN, South America and the Middle East. Clearly, the U.S tariff serves as a stark reminder of the risks of overreliance on a single market. Yet, with proactive strategies and effective trade negotiations, Vietnamese pangasius still has opportunities to sustain its growth momentum and achieve its 2025 export targets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition, will officially take place from 19–21 August 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City. As Vietnam’s largest annual seafood trade event, organized by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietfish 2026 will once again bring together leading seafood companies, industry experts, and international partners from across the global seafood value chain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports reached USD 1.1 billion in July 2026, up 4.8% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulative exports in the first seven months of the year totaled nearly USD 6.86 billion, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year. Exceeding the USD 1 billion mark in July further reinforces the prospect that Vietnam’s seafood exports could surpass USD 12 billion in 2026. However, the July figures also send a clear signal that the most favorable growth period may have passed: overall export growth slowed to just 4.8%, pangasius exports fell 6.1%, tuna exports were virtually flat, while exports to the EU, South Korea, and the Middle East all recorded double-digit declines.
(vasep.com.vn) As part of the Vietnam Fisheries International Exhibition (Vietfish 2026), the seminar "Global Seafood Market and the Future Workforce: Trends, Opportunities, and Sustainable Development Pathways for Vietnam's Seafood Industry" will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on August 19, 2026, at Convention Room B, Level 2, SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first of five specialized seminars at Vietfish 2026, focusing on key issues that are shaping the long-term development of Vietnam's seafood industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese seafood exports recorded impressive growth, generating nearly 6 billion USD in revenue during the first six months of the year, up 13% compared with the same period last year.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Fishermen in Ha Tinh are gradually overcoming difficulties to maintain the efficiency of seafood exploitation. In the first six months of 2026, the entire province achieved a production of more than 23,000 tons of seafood, worth more than 1,200 billion VND.
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