In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to China and Hong Kong saw a negative growth of 4% compared to the same period last year, reaching only $357 million and accounting for 25% of Vietnam’s total pangasius exports. In August alone, exports to this market also dropped by 4%, totaling $55 million.
CPTPP and South America emerge as growth pillars
The CPTPP bloc led the growth in Vietnam’s pangasius imports during the first 8 months of 2025, with export value reaching $242 million, up 36% year-on-year - the highest among all market groups. Japan, Canada, Mexico and Chile recorded stable demand, particularly for high-quality fillets and deeply processed products. The primary reason is the near-zero tariff benefits under the CPTPP agreement which gives Vietnamese pangasius a clear pricing edge over competing species such as pollock and tilapia. Additionally, these markets require clear quality standards and traceability that many Vietnamese enterprises have successfully met, thereby increasing the average order value.
Beyond CPTPP, South America is also proving to be an increasingly attractive destination. By the end of August 2025, exports to Brazil – considered the gateway to the region - reached $118 million, surging 54% compared to the previous year, driven by rising demand as a substitute for local tilapia and growing consumer familiarity with pangasius. Colombia and Chile maintain stable imports, further expanding Vietnam’s footprint in the region. Both CPTPP and South America not only offset the decline from China but also offer opportunities for higher profits through quality orders, better payment terms and higher margins. These two markets are emerging as the “twin growth engines” for Vietnamese pangasius.
Second half of 2025: A strategic window for market restructuring
In the second half of 2025, the supply of raw pangasius is tightening, while export prices show signs of recovery in Q4. This presents an opportunity for enterprises to exporters to contracts in fast-growing markets such as CPTPP and South America, capitalizing on the year-end holiday season. Meanwhile, the U.S and EU will continue to serve as stable markets with high sustainability standards, compelling the pangasius industry to elevate quality to maintain market share.
The ASEAN market also remains promising, with pangasius exports to Thailand reaching $52 million (+31%) and to the Philippines $26 million (+31%) in the first eight months of 2025.
If enterprises can consolidate their position across the three key pillars - CPTPP, South America and traditional markets U.S., EU, and ASEAN) - Vietnam’s pangasius industry will achieve a multi-polar market structure, reducing reliance on any single market and enhancing resilience against global trade fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is facing new opportunities to expand its development space as many localities and businesses begin promoting marine farming models aimed at diversifying farming areas and adapting to climate change. However, for pangasius to truly “go offshore” and develop into a large-scale industry segment, significant challenges related to technology, broodstock, and markets still need to be addressed.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports in April 2026 reached USD 11 million, up 92% compared to the same period in 2025. This strong growth indicates that Vietnamese tilapia products are continuing to penetrate and expand rapidly in international markets. Cumulative export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 49 million, up 151% year-on-year.
(seafood.vasep.com) At VietShrimp Asia 2026, disease management trends in shrimp farming are shifting strongly from treatment-based approaches toward proactive prevention through environmental and pond ecosystem control.
(vasep.com.vn) After a period of strong growth, with export turnover reaching USD 38 million in Q1/2026 — up 174% year-on-year — the sector’s rapid expansion clearly reflects growing market opportunities.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first quarter of 2026, Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the ASEAN bloc reached USD 44 million, up 7% compared to the same period in 2025. After falling to the lowest level of the quarter at USD 9 million in February — reflecting the seasonal slowdown in orders after the festive period — exports recovered strongly to USD 18 million in March, the highest monthly value of the quarter. This development shows that import demand for pangasius in ASEAN remains relatively stable despite short-term fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On May 11, 2026, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a positive comparability finding for Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries, along with those of Indonesia and Sri Lanka, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With this decision, seafood and seafood products harvested from Vietnam’s swimming crab fisheries will continue to be eligible for import into the US market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a slowdown in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Germany showed more positive signs in the first quarter of 2026. However, the recovery remains uncertain as consumer demand in Germany is still cautious, while market competition is increasingly driven by pricing and supply stability.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) After a sharp decline in 2025, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel are showing positive signs of recovery in the early months of 2026. According to Vietnam Customs data, export turnover to this market grew steadily month by month in Q1/2026, reaching nearly USD 10 million, up 33% compared to the same period in 2025. However, compared to Q1/2024, this level remains significantly lower, indicating that the recovery is still in its early stage following last year’s strong adjustment.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Entering 2026, the U.S. whitefish market has shown complex developments as global cod supply continues to tighten, while the U.S. trade environment becomes less stable. In this context, the U.S. market has had to become more flexible in sourcing alternative whitefish. However, relying heavily on Alaska pollock is not a long-term solution, as it is a strictly managed fishery with quotas and sustainability regulations, limiting any rapid increase in output to offset cod shortages.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Aquaculture, capture fisheries, and seed production activities in Lam Dong in the early months of 2026 continued to show positive signs, with both output and farming area slightly increasing compared to the same period, contributing to maintaining overall industry stability.
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