(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In 2023, total pangasius imports into the European Union saw a significant decline compared to the previous year. Approximately 70,000 tons were imported, 3,000 tons less than in 2022, according to a report from FAO-Globefish.
The primary supplier is Vietnam, which holds a 90% market share of total pangasius imports. However, this figure is actually higher as the second and third largest suppliers - Netherlands and Belgium - are merely re-exporters.
Germany is the main consumer of pangasius fillets, where price is more important than quality and taste. Spain, which was a major consumer about 10 years ago, has steadily reduced its imports of this species. In 2023, the country imported 5,500 tons, nearly 1,000 tons less than the previous year.
During the first nine months of 2024, pangasius imports into the EU were on par with those of 2023, with approximately 54,000 tons imported during this period. Germany's imports increased by 2% to 9,200 tons in this period. Spain's imports saw a 40% increase year-on-year to about 5,500 tons during this period.