Vietnam’s pangasius exports in may 2025: Steady growth with the US and Brazil as key markets

According to HS code data, HS03 pangasius accounted for 97.4% of Vietnam's total pangasius exports to global markets, reaching 808 million USD, an increase of 10%. Among these, frozen pangasius fillets (code 0304) saw a strong growth of 11%, continuing to be the main export driver. Processed pangasius products (HS code 06) accounted for only 2.6% but recorded a significant increase of 64%, indicating the potential for value increase through deep processing.

China & Hong Kong experienced a decline in imports of Vietnamese pangasius in May 2025 and throughout the first five months of 2025. However, they still remained the number-one consumption market. Exports of pangasius to China & Hong Kong in mid-Q2/2025 reached  46 million USD, a decrease of 8% compared to May 2024. The total export value to this market in the first five months of this year reached USD 196 million, down 4% year-on-year.

Vietnam’s pangasius exports to the U.S. in May 2025 reached 41 million USD, up 35% compared to May 2024. Total pangasius exports to the U.S. in the first five months of 2025 reached 142 million USD, up 7% compared to the same period in 2024.

Following the U.S., Brazil continued to show strong demand for Vietnamese pangasius, especially frozen fillets. In May 2025, exports to this South American country reached 16 million USD, doubling the value of May 2024. By the end of May 2025, pangasius exports to Brazil hit 80 million USD, up 73% year-on-year.

Exports to the EU also continued to show positive growth of 12%, reaching nearly 16 million USD in May 2025. The Netherlands remained the top importer of Vietnamese pangasius products within the EU. In May 2025 alone, exports to the Netherlands reached USD 5 million, up 26% year-on-year.

In May 2025, Mexico surpassed Thailand to become the fourth-largest single market for Vietnamese pangasius. Export value to Mexico in May 2025 reached USD 7 million, up 14% from May 2024. Cumulatively, exports to this CPTPP-supported market in the first five months of the year reached USD 28 million, up 6% year-on-year.

Overall, Vietnam’s pangasius exports in May and in the first five months of this year have started to show a slight adjustment. The country’s pangasius exports are clearly recovering in 2025, with expectations of double-digit growth. The U.S., Brazil, and CPTPP countries are the main destinations, while the EU requires close monitoring of policy and demand changes. Although China—the largest market for Vietnamese pangasius—has shown a slowdown in imports, the summer season is typically a high-consumption period for seafood, offering hope for demand recovery in this market. Market and product diversification strategies (especially deep processing, ready-to-eat packaging, and targeting niche markets) need to be further promoted.