(vasep.com.vn) In the first seven months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports reached about 1.2 billion USD, up 11% over the same period. This figure shows that the industry is still maintaining its competitiveness, but the picture is not entirely bright. The US, the market accounts for nearly 17% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value to markets. Vietnamese seafood, including pangasius, is also affected by the US’s reciprocal tax policy. This not only increases costs but also erodes the profits of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.

Meanwhile, China and Hong Kong – the largest markets – have reduced imports, reflecting unpredictable fluctuations in consumption demand. Clearly, the dependence on a few products and markets is a weakness of the Vietnamese pangasius industry.

OPPORTUNITIES FROM MARKET SHIFTS

Difficulties in the US and China open up opportunities in other regions. Brazil recorded an impressive 64% increase in imports of Vietnamese pangasius over the same period in 2024, reaching more than 106 million USD in the first 7 months of this year, demonstrating the growing attractiveness of pangasius in the South American region. By the end of July 2025, pangasius exports to the market bloc supported by the CPTPP Agreement reached nearly 208 million USD, up 34% over the same period last year, with much room for expansion from Canada, Japan, and Malaysia.

These figures show that, when one door seems to be gradually “narrowing”, there are still doors open – but the opportunities are only sustainable if businesses know how to take advantage of it to diversify the market instead of chasing short-term numbers.

DEEP PROCESSING – A STRATEGIC APPROACH

In the first seven months of this year, processed pangasius exports (HS16) reached about 30 million USD, up 41% over the same period last year. Products such as breaded pangasius, canned pangasius, and surimi from pangasius are increasingly presented in supermarkets and retail systems in many countries. This is proof that the pangasius industry is gradually transforming, entering a new phase: added value, convenience, and sustainability.

Promoting deep processing not only increases value but also helps pangasius compete more fairly with Chinese tilapia or Alaska pollock – rivals with traditional advantages. As consumers increasingly care about sustainability certification, transparent traceability, and convenient products, deep processing is the “passport” for Vietnamese pangasius to expand its market share.

VIETFISH 2025 – A GLOBAL BRIDGE FOR PANGASIUS

In the context of volatile trade, Vietfish 2025 – an annual international seafood exhibition organized by VASEP – has become an important meeting point to connect pangasius enterprises with importers from all over the world. With more than 500 booths from 280 Vietnamese enterprises, Vietfish is not only a place to display products, but also a trading floor, where contracts are discussed, trust is strengthened and market trends are updated live.

For pangasius, Vietfish is an opportunity to introduce new processed products, affirm international certificates such as ASC, BAP, GlobalGAP, and expand presence in emerging markets.

This year, Vietfish 2025 is organized by VASEP with the theme “Innovation – Sustainability”, affirming the vision of the Vietnamese seafood industry: Overcoming challenges, creating long-term value, aiming for the export target of 10 billion USD and maintaining the position in the top 3 in the world.

The first seven months of 2025 show that the Vietnamese pangasius industry is standing between two currents: pressure from trade barriers and opportunities from market shifts. If we promote deep processing, diversify markets and take advantage of international connection platforms such as Vietfish, Vietnamese pangasius can completely enter a new stage of development.

The most important thing is to reposition pangasius not only as a cheap product, but as a nutritious, sustainable and value-added choice, in line with global consumption trends. That is the long-term path for Vietnamese pangasius to affirm its position on the international seafood map.

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Via VASEP