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) Vietnam's tilapia exports to Japan posted strong growth in the first half of 2026, while a promising new trend has emerged in the value-added product segment. Notably, Vietnamese tilapia fillets have been exported to Japan for use in sushi and sashimi, creating new opportunities to enhance the value of the industry in one of the world's most demanding seafood markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a relatively sluggish first quarter, Vietnam's exports of fish cakes and surimi showed a clearer recovery in the second quarter, particularly in June. Export value in the first six months of 2026 reached USD 148 million, down 2% year on year. However, the newly imposed 12.5% additional U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods, intensifying competition in Northeast Asia, and increasingly stringent traceability requirements in the EU are making the outlook for the second half of the year more uncertain.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In June 2026, Vietnam's shrimp exports reached nearly USD 458 million, up 24% year-on-year. In the first six months of 2026, export value totaled USD 2.35 billion, an increase of 14.2% compared with the same period last year. Growth was driven mainly by the Chinese market and the strong performance of lobster exports, while shrimp exports continued to face pressure from U.S. tariffs and rising logistics costs.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As part of Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program is designed as a specialized B2B matchmaking initiative for selected international buyers, providing opportunities to meet directly with Vietnamese seafood exporters, gain the latest market insights, and experience Vietnam's seafood supply chain firsthand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) A project titled "Sustainable Shrimp Industry Governance" has been launched in Ca Mau Province with the aim of supporting the transition of the province's shrimp industry toward higher quality, lower emissions, stronger governance capacity, improved supply chain traceability, and the development of a sustainable shrimp brand that meets the increasingly stringent requirements of export markets.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Khanh Hoa Provincial Agricultural Extension Center, in collaboration with the Northern Center for Marine Aquaculture Research and the Van Hung Public Service Center, recently organized a training course on disease-free golden pompano seed production. The program is part of a National Agricultural Extension Project aimed at developing industrial-scale seed production models to support sustainable marine aquaculture.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports have shown encouraging signs of recovery in 2026. In the first four months of the year, total export turnover reached USD 720 million, up 17% compared to the same period last year. This result reflects improving demand across many markets, as well as the efforts of Vietnamese pangasius enterprises to maintain production, secure orders, and adapt to changing market conditions.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The application of high technology in shrimp farming is delivering positive results in the coastal areas of Vinh Long Province, contributing to improved production efficiency and creating significant potential for further industry expansion. However, to fully capitalize on this potential, the province is focusing on aquaculture zoning, infrastructure investment, and promoting modern, sustainable production.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Đồng Tháp Province has intensified efforts to curb illegal fishing by strengthening vessel monitoring, law enforcement and seafood traceability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Seafood businesses need solutions to overcome bottlenecks such as labor shortages, difficulty accessing capital, high input costs, and administrative procedures in order to maintain production, adapt to market fluctuations, and effectively exploit export opportunities.
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