In terms of product structure, frozen pangasius fillets remained Vietnam’s main export product, generating over USD 1.1 billion in the first eight months of 2025, up 11% compared to the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, exports of other frozen and dried pangasius products (HS03, excluding HS0304) reached $246 million, a modest 2% increase year-on-year. Notably, deeply processed pangasius products (HS16), despite holding a small proportion, recorded remarkable growth in August, demonstrating enterprises’ adaptability to market demands for convenience and diversification. By the end of August 2025, exports of value-added pangasius reached $36 million, surging 32% compared to the same period last year.
August 2025 saw significant shifts in key markets. Certain pangasius import markets saw slight declines, particularly China and Hong Kong, which recorded a 4% drop to $55 million, reflecting subtle and cautious changes in global consumer demand. In contrast, markets such as CPTPP members, Brazil and ASEAN maintained robust growth momentum.
Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the United States reached $234 million by the end of August 2025, up 3.7% year-over-year and considered relatively stable. Despite modest growth, the U.S remains one of the most critical markets due to its high value, stringent requirements and global influence. Sustaining growth despite complex tariffs and technical barriers demonstrates that Vietnamese pangasius’ strengthening position in the mid-to-high-end segment. This also serves as a driving force for enterprises to further standardize production and build stronger branding in this market.
Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the CPTPP bloc reached $242 million in the first 8 months of 2025, marking a robust 36% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Japan, Canada, and Mexico are key markets within the bloc, with diverse demand ranging from frozen fillets to processed products. The preferential tax benefits from the FTA, combined with shifting consumer preferences toward convenient and safe products, have created significant opportunities. The CPTPP is not only a short-term highlight but also a strategic long-term region for the pangasius sector.
The ASEAN market continues to play an increasingly vital role in Vietnam’s pangasius export landscape. In the first 8 months of 2025, Thailand imported $52 million, up 31% year-on-year, while the Philippines recorded $26 million, also up 31%. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Singapore maintained stable growth. With advantages such as geographical proximity, low logistics costs and similar culinary preferences, ASEAN is becoming a “safe belt” that helps the pangasius industry reduce reliance on distant markets with complex technical barriers.
Pangasius exports to the EU reached $120 million in the first 8 months of 2025, reflecting a 6% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Although growth remains modest, the EU is a valuable market with significant brand influence. Stable demand for high-standard pangasius fillets, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, demonstrates long-term potential. However, to maximize opportunities, the industry needs to place greater emphasis on sustainability certifications, traceability and green consumption trends - increasingly strict requirements in the EU.
The pangasius export results from the first 8 months of 2025 demonstrate a solid recovery, though uneven across markets. While China and Hong Kong have stagnated, the CPTPP, ASEAN and Brazil have emerged as new growth drivers, while the U.S and EU remaining stable pillars. This reflects a clear trend: Vietnamese pangasius is gradually repositioning itself in global trade by diversifying markets, enhancing deep processing and strengthening its brand in high-value segments.
(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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