(vasep.com.vn) The reluctance of Chinese consumers amid a slowing economy has forced domestic seafood importers to focus on cheaper species, putting Vietnamese pangasius in the spotlight. Prime location to take advantage.

Cheaper at retail stores than domestically produced freshwater fish such as carp, pangasius has become the fish of choice for many consumers cooking at home as well as mass restaurant chains. .

Beijing restaurant outlet Yu Ni Zai Yi Qi, competing nationally with a new wave of fish-focused casual dining chains, including the rapidly expanding Tai Er chain, relies on Pangasius is a staple on the menu. Another restaurant that's quickly making pangasius a staple is the quick-service seafood restaurants run by Seven Fresh, with grilled fish dishes of all species starting at CNY22.90 ($3.20 USD). , 2.97 EUR) to 26.90 CNY (3.76 USD, 3.49 EUR).

An employee at Shou Gang supermarket in Beijing said frozen pangasius fillets are also popular in China's lucrative baby food market because pangasius is a clean and tender white fish that is widely consumed. Parents trust it as a healthy choice for their children.

Sales of both pangasius and tilapia, another domestic competitor, have increased in recent months as China's economy weakens.

However, they are still competitive and the rise of pangasius has a negative impact on domestic tilapia producers, who are hoping to reduce their dependence on export markets by selling more domestically. 

Tilapia remains price-competitive with pangasius, but a spike in prices earlier this year due to reduced production has threatened further price increases, possibly sending seafood buyers elsewhere. 

Statistics in the March 2024 USDA China Seafood Products report refer to a "war" between the two species. Although the report shows that Vietnamese pangasius imports to China have decreased from 228,000 tons in 2022 to 128,000 tons in 2023, this number is still higher than China's total tilapia exports of up to 126,000 tons. last year.

A good sign for some domestic suppliers is that China's seafood output in 2024 is expected to increase thanks to "expanded aquaculture area and production efficiency."