(seafood.vasep.com.vn) 2026 is rapidly shaping up to be a formidable stress test for Vietnamese pangasius exports to the United States. While exports to alternative markets maintain a resilient growth trajectory, the U.S market has declined significantly. In the first eight months of the year, pangasius exports to the U.S fell by nearly 14% year-on-year, with August alone recording a decline of more than 50%. The trend shows that difficulties in the U.S. market are not driven solely by weak consumer demand, but also by multiple layers of trade barriers that are intensifying simultaneously, particularly additional import tariffs, anti-dumping duties and growing protectionism for the domestic catfish industry.

(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first four months of 2026, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia together contributed USD 108 million to Vietnam’s pangasius exports, accounting for around 15% of the industry’s total export turnover. Amid tightening global whitefish supply and slowing demand in several traditional markets, Latin America is increasingly becoming an important expansion destination for the sector.

(seafood.vasep.com) According to Vietnam Customs data, in June 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value reached 194 million USD, a 13% increase compared to June 2024. Cumulative exports for the first half of 2025 totaled 1.023 billion USD, up 11% from the same period in 2024. Despite a challenging global trade environment with ongoing risks, Vietnam’s pangasius exports recorded positive results in the first six months of 2025.