What will the price of pangasius be if it is subject to additional reciprocal taxes
When adding the tax, the product price still fluctuates around 50-60 cents/pound - which is still much lower than that of popular white fish such as cod or pollock. This fact shows that pangasius still maintains a competitive advantage in price, a very important factor in the context of American consumers increasingly tightening their spending after the pandemic and high inflation.
Pangasius is one of the few seafood products that is both reasonably priced and flexible in processing, suitable for many consumer segments from restaurants, industrial kitchens to family retail channels.
The real value of pangasius and the adaptability of the US market
It is worth noting that Vietnam's pangasius is increasingly gaining a stronger position on the American dining table - not only in the Asian community but also in the general consumer segments. From a market perspective, this reflects the level of "attachment" of pangasius to consumers and shows that the price increase is not an insurmountable barrier.
In fact, in the past, pangasius was more expensive than it is now, and the US market still consumed it well. This shows that if the supply chain is organized flexibly and systematically, the new price after tax can be completely absorbed by the market.
Of course, risks still exist. The uncertainty about US trade policy – especially during the Trump administration – makes it difficult to develop long-term business plans. On the other hand, if Vietnamese businesses are proactive in their market strategies, pangasius can still maintain its position in the US as it has done in many previous fluctuations.
Bouncing back from non - US markets
While the US is a large market and has a great influence on the pangasius industry, other bright spots cannot be ignored. The EU market is assessed to have slight growth potential thanks to loose fiscal policies, low inflation, and an appreciating EUR. These factors can all support the purchasing power of imported seafood, including pangasius.
In addition, the reduction of whitefish fishing quotas by many European countries, especially cod, will continue to create room for pangasius to replace. Consumers in this region are already accustomed to consuming frozen fish fillets, and are more likely to accept pangasius products if the price and quality are stable.
Pangasius supply chain: not just about taxes
One of the big problems today is not about prices or taxes – but about being cautious in controlling inventory and managing risks in the supply chain. When policy shocks occur too often, importers are forced to consider worst-case scenarios. This can cause actual transaction volume to be lower than market demand.
Therefore, in addition to expecting a more stable tax policy, the pangasius industry needs to gradually build a value chain with higher “resistance” – from farming areas, processing, logistics to the international distribution system.
Repositioning domestic pangasius – a strategy that needs to go hand in hand
The tax story in the US also reiterates an old but always necessary lesson: Do not depend too much on one market. The domestic market, with nearly 100 million people, is becoming increasingly attractive with rising incomes and changing culinary tastes. The problem is that pangasius has not yet found a suitable place in the country.
Pangasius has a great advantage in terms of price, nutrition and food safety. However, the lack of brand recognition, poor packaging and ineffective distribution make it difficult for the product to compete with other meats or seafood in modern retail channels.
A synchronous campaign is needed, with the participation of the state, enterprises and associations - to bring pangasius back to its rightful position: a national product, able to "stand firm at home" before "conquering" the world.
(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.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
Giấy phép hoạt động Trang thông tin điện tử tổng hợp số 138/GP-TTĐT, ngày 01/10/2013 của Bộ Thông tin và Truyền thông
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 – (ext.203); email: kimthu@vasep.com.vn
Trụ sở: Số 7 đường Nguyễn Quý Cảnh, Phường An Phú, Quận 2, Tp.Hồ Chí Minh
Tel: (+84) 28.628.10430 - Fax: (+84) 28.628.10437 - Email: vasephcm@vasep.com.vn
VPĐD: số 10, Nguyễn Công Hoan, Ngọc Khánh, Ba Đình, Hà Nội
Tel: (+84 24) 3.7715055 - Fax: (+84 24) 37715084 - Email: vasephn@vasep.com.vn