These results highlight Colombia’s emergence as a promising market in South America, as Vietnamese pangasius exporters continue to diversify beyond their traditional export destinations.
Frozen pangasius is the preferred product in Colombia
In terms of product mix, Colombia currently favors two main categories: frozen whole pangasius (HS code 03032400) and frozen pangasius fillets (HS code 0304). These two product groups account for roughly equal shares of total export value, with each representing approximately 50% of Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Colombia.
This balanced structure indicates that demand in Colombia extends beyond frozen fillets to include frozen whole fish used as raw material for further processing and domestic consumption.
Consumer preferences in Colombia closely resemble those of other Latin American markets such as Mexico and Brazil. These markets generally favor competitively priced frozen raw products that are easy to store and suitable for everyday cooking. By contrast, demand for value-added pangasius products remains limited. Deep-processed products, including breaded, seasoned, or ready-to-eat items, have yet to become major product categories in the region.
Strong growth, but sustainability remains to be assessed
The strong performance of Vietnamese pangasius in Colombia during 2026 has been driven by stable demand for frozen whitefish, Vietnam’s competitive pricing, and its well-established position as a reliable supplier. Vietnam benefits from abundant production capacity, consistent supply, compliance with numerous international certification standards, and price competitiveness within the mass-market segment. These advantages have enabled Vietnamese pangasius to maintain its competitiveness in a market with robust demand for frozen seafood.
In addition, fish consumption in Colombia tends to increase during peak holiday periods, particularly Semana Santa (Holy Week), when seafood consumption traditionally rises. This seasonal demand encourages importers to increase purchases of frozen fish for inventory and distribution.
Nevertheless, the impressive growth recorded during the first five months of the year should be interpreted with caution. The sharp increase may partly reflect a low comparison base in the previous year or the impact of several large shipments during the period. Therefore, further monitoring of export value, export volume, average export prices, and the number of importers will be necessary to determine whether the current growth trend is sustainable.
Overall, Colombia represents a promising market with considerable room for further expansion of Vietnamese pangasius exports. To capitalize on this potential, exporters should continue to leverage their competitive pricing, maintain consistent product quality, offer specifications that meet local market preferences, and gradually strengthen their distribution networks in the country.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) As of the end of August 2026, Vietnam’s tilapia exports to the United States reached $21 million, representing a steep 48% year-over-year decline and accounting for 23% of the country's total tilapia export turnover. Frozen fillets accounted for 78% with the remainder consisting of whole frozen tilapia and frozen cuts.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a volatile first half of the year, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to Brazil registered robust growth in July and August 2026. In August alone, export turnover reached $19 million, surging 73% compared to the same period in 2025. Cumulatively for the first eight months, total export value reached $124 million, reflecting an 8% year-over-year increase.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Besides modifying their boats, many fishermen in Dak Lak province are making efforts to venture out to sea to harvest seafood during the rough sea season.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) At the Responsible Seafood Summit and TCRS Shrimp Summit 2026, organized by the GSA (Global Seafood Alliance) in Bangkok, Thailand, the conversation about the future of the shrimp industry began with one of its most important foundations: seedstock quality.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Lithuania surpassed $14 million, up 8% year on year. While the increase remains modest, it is notable given the continued pressure on Vietnamese tuna exports to the EU as a whole. More importantly, export turnover to Lithuania has shown a clearer recovery in recent months, making the market a destination worth monitoring for Vietnamese businesses in Europe.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s squid and octopus exports exceeded $527 million in the first eight months of 2026, marking a 15% year-on-year increase. This growth is particularly notable given the strong baseline established in 2025, when export turnover for the same period reached $458 million, a 13% rise from 2024.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnamese pangasius is gaining traction in Japan, where competitive prices and reliable supplies have helped the fish enter professional distribution channels and a major sushi chain.
(vasep.com.vn) A circular economy does not create a “new type of shrimp” or a new certification. Its value lies in helping the shrimp value chain use resources more efficiently, stabilize production, generate additional value from by-products and build the data and evidence needed to meet increasingly stringent market requirements. This was the perspective shared by VASEP at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Forum on Promoting a Circular Economy in the Shrimp Industry in the Mekong Delta, held in Can Tho on September 21.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius exports to CPTPP markets reached $264 million in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year-on-year and accounting for 17% of the nation’s total pangasius export turnover. In August alone, export value reached $34 million, inching up 3%.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Golden pompano is being selected as a high-value species for the development of high-tech marine aquaculture in Lam Dong Province. In 2026, the provincial Agricultural Extension Center launched a golden pompano farming model using circular HDPE cages in Lien Huong Commune, opening opportunities to apply technology to marine farming at a scale suited to local coastal conditions.
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