Over the past decade, China first surpassed the U.S. as the largest importer of Vietnam’s pangasius in 2017. However, in 2018, the U.S. reclaimed its position, with exports of pangasius to the U.S. reaching USD 550 million, while exports to China totaled USD 529 million.
Since 2019, however, exports of pangasius to the U.S. have struggled to achieve significant growth due to the ongoing anti-dumping tariffs. As a result, China has been the leading market for Vietnam’s pangasius exports for the past six consecutive years.
In 2024, exports of pangasius to China accounted for 29% of Vietnam’s total seafood exports. October 2024 recorded the highest monthly export value to China & Hong Kong since the beginning of the year, exceeding USD 61 million, a 9% increase compared to the same month in 2023.
Frozen pangasius fillets from Vietnam are highly favored by Chinese consumers. In Q4 2024, the value of these exports to China surpassed USD 100 million, a 62% increase compared to Q4 2023. For the whole year of 2024, frozen pangasius fillet exports to China & Hong Kong reached USD 349 million, a 6% decrease from the previous year, representing 60% of the total pangasius exports to this market.
In Q4 2024, China increased imports of dried pangasius and other frozen products (whole fish, cut fish, fish maws, etc.) by 7% compared to Q4 2023. Exports of value-added pangasius products in Q4 2024 saw a remarkable growth of 92% compared to the same period in 2023.
Currently, the U.S. and China are the top two markets for Vietnam’s pangasius exports. With the recent signing of a bilateral agreement between Vietnam and the United States to remove the anti-dumping tariffs on pangasius fillets from Vietnam, the number one position held by China may be challenged in 2025.
The U.S. implementation of the WTO ruling opens up significant opportunities for Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the U.S. to stabilize. This move also plays a crucial role in demonstrating the commitment to strengthening the multi-faceted relationship between Vietnam and the U.S., especially in the context of the two countries upgrading their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first eight months of 2026, Brazil became the largest market for Vietnamese tilapia, with export value reaching US$44 million, up 22,142% year-on-year and accounting for 49% of Vietnam’s total tilapia exports. In August alone, exports to Brazil reached US$4 million. However, behind this remarkable growth is a market that is imposing increasingly stringent requirements on imported supplies.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports sustained their upward trajectory in August 2026, though the pace remained modest at just 2%. The month saw divergent trends across key markets: the US maintained its leading position, Japan and Canada improved, Russia surged and the EU continued to experience a steep downturn. These developments suggest that exporters are entering the final months of the year amid a market environment marked by greater uncertainty.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Congalsa has acquired the entire charter capital of Lenger Seafood Vietnam, giving it full ownership of the business and its Nam Dinh processing facility.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Ninh Binh Province is entering a peak period of action against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, focusing on thoroughly addressing violations, closely monitoring fishing vessels at ports and preventing vessels from violating regulations and operating illegally in foreign waters ahead of the European Commission’s (EC) upcoming inspection in 2026.
(vasep.com.vn) The application of biotechnology in seed production is increasingly viewed as a strategic imperative to upgrade pangasius fingerling quality, optimize farming efficiency and anchor sustainable industry development.
(vasep.com.vn) On September 15, 2026, in Can Tho, VASEP and ASC jointly organized a training course titled “New ASC standards: updates and practical implementation guidance for farms, businesses and aquafeed mills”. Beyond briefing stakeholders on updated ASC requirements for aquaculture facilities and feed production, the workshop dedicated substantial floor time to directly addressing on-the-ground compliance bottlenecks encountered by Vietnamese enterprises.
(searfood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia exports continued to post positive results in the first eight months of 2026, with total export value reaching US$90 million, up 43% year-on-year. However, exports in August alone stood at US$11 million, down 8%, reflecting uneven market developments. Brazil remained the leading market, while Japan recorded notable growth, opening up new opportunities for Vietnamese tilapia products.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports reached US$3.3 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 12% year on year. However, growth has begun to slow and become more differentiated across markets, while the U.S. and EU continue to present significant challenges. The latest insights from the Global Shrimp Forum 2026 (GSF 2026), held in early September, also indicate that the final months of the year will remain highly competitive as global supply continues to expand and buyers increasingly focus on quality, product specifications, supply stability and the ability to meet market-specific demand.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In August 2026, Vietnam’s seafood exports reached $1.14 billion, up 6% year on year. Cumulative eight-month exports rose 11.8% to $8.00 billion, though momentum has cooled compared to the 12.8% growth seen through July. China - Hong Kong and ASEAN are offsetting weakness in the U.S, EU and partly Japan. This divergence will likely widen in Q4 as trade tariffs and traceability requirements directly weigh on new orders.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam–Russia relations are entering a new phase of cooperation, with a focus on expanding trade, investment and economic connectivity. Against this backdrop, tuna is emerging as one of the seafood products with significant growth potential in the Russian market. Export data for the first seven months of 2026 show strong growth in Vietnamese tuna exports to Russia. However, turning this momentum into sustainable market share will require businesses to address challenges related to logistics, payment and supply competition.
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