(seafood.vasep.com.vn) By the end of October 2021, the total value of Vietnam pangasius exports to the ASEAN market reached 94.2 million USD, down about 17% over the same period last year. Since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out from the end of 2019 until now, pangasius exports to some potential markets in this region have not been able to recover.
In the first 10 months of this year, the export value of pangasius to the largest market in ASEAN, Thailand, still decreased by 6.42% compared to the same period last year, reaching 43.6 million USD (accounting for 46.2% of the value of the pangasius imports of the whole bloc).
Before the pandemic, Singapore and Malaysia were two emerging and attractive markets for many Vietnamese pangasius exporters when the demand for import and consumption was stable and growing strongly. However, due to the impact of the epidemic in the early stages, in 2020, these two countries were severely affected by Covid-19, making trade activities difficult. However, recently, with efforts to transition from zero Covid-19 to living with Covid, these countries are also cautiously reopening their economies in the context that the whole world is worried about the Omicron variant. Optimistic economists forecast that, from the beginning of 2022, Singapore is the country with the fastest recovery and stability in the region and a good opportunity for businesses to promote exports to this market.
By the end of October 2021, the export value of pangasius to Singapore reached 20.6 million USD, down 29.4%; Exports to Malaysia reached 15.2 million USD, down 41.7% over the same period last year.
While some major pangasius importing countries in the region reduced pangasius imports, the Philippines and Indonesia are two notable markets this year. In the first 10 months of this year, pangasius export value to the Philippines increased by 33.3%, reaching 14 million USD; Pangasius exports to Indonesia are also growing rapidly.