Vietnamese pangasius shows positive growth across major market blocs

China & Hong Kong and CPTPP maintain growth momentum, while the EU recovers

China & Hong Kong continued to be the largest import market for Vietnamese pangasius, reaching USD 72 million, up 129% year-on-year. Compared with USD 63 million in December 2025, the increase reflects strong consumption demand. This year, the festive season in China came later than usual, leading to increased imports for consumption and stockpiling at the beginning of the year, thereby pushing export value higher.

Exports of Vietnamese pangasius to the CPTPP market bloc reached USD 37 million, up 52% year-on-year. The growth was mainly driven by several key member markets such as Mexico, which reached USD 11 million, up 108%; Japan, which reached USD 5 million, up 75%; and the United Kingdom, which reached USD 6 million, up 46% compared with the same period in 2025. Meanwhile, Canada and several other markets in the bloc maintained stable import levels. Strong growth in major markets contributed to the overall increase in CPTPP export value. After impressive growth in 2025, this market bloc continues to show positive signals and strong potential for Vietnamese pangasius products.

In ASEAN, export value reached USD 20 million, up 49% compared with the same period in 2025. Some markets in the region recorded strong growth, such as Thailand, which reached USD 9 million, up 65%. However, growth among markets within the bloc was uneven, with clear differences between individual countries.

In January 2026, pangasius exports to the EU reached USD 15 million, up 18% year-on-year. Amid shortages of cod and pollock supply in Europe, demand for alternative whitefish products has increased. As a result, Vietnamese pangasius has benefited as a competitive alternative thanks to its affordable price and stable supply. The Netherlands, a traditional market that recorded negative growth in the last few months of 2025, has also shown signs of recovery. Pangasius export value to this market reached USD 4 million in January 2026, up 21% compared with the same period last year.

Middle East market still faces risks from the Iran–Israel conflict

In the Middle East, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached USD 14 million, up 50% year-on-year. However, compared with December, the market has shown signs of slowing down. In the coming period, as military tensions in the region become more complex, pangasius exports to the Middle East may face negative impacts. Currently, maritime shipping routes have been disrupted, and the risk of attacks has increased, making it more difficult to ensure timely delivery of frozen seafood products.

The current risk focus lies at the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route connecting the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean. As security alerts increase, many shipping lines have adjusted their routes, temporarily suspending passages through Hormuz or rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope instead of passing through the Red Sea – Bab el-Mandeb – Suez Canal corridor. In recent days, freight rates on the Asia–Dubai route have nearly doubled, while emergency surcharges for routes to and from Gulf countries range from USD 1,500 to USD 4,000 per container, with higher fees applied to refrigerated containers.

In addition, war risk insurance premiums have surged, and in some cases coverage has been canceled, forcing many commercial vessels to purchase new insurance at very high costs in order to continue operating. This could increase overall costs, narrow profit margins, and make it more challenging to maintain delivery schedules for frozen seafood products, including Vietnamese pangasius.

Overall, the import landscape for Vietnamese pangasius across major market blocs shows positive signs of recovery, particularly in China & Hong Kong and the CPTPP bloc. However, geopolitical factors and global logistics fluctuations, especially in the Middle East, remain significant challenges for the pangasius industry in the coming period.