According to an update report from the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnamese pangasius exports to the United Kingdom market are sustaining exceptionally positive growth momentum. Despite geopolitical hurdles and fluctuations in global whitefish supplies, actual statistical figures demonstrate strong resilience and high agility among domestic seafood enterprises.

Breakthrough in turnover and shifting product mix

Figures recorded in the first seven months of 2026 show that Vietnam’s total pangasius export turnover to the UK hit the USD 43 million mark, representing a 23% increase year-on-year. Notably, this acceleration was most pronounced in July 2026, when export value touched USD 7 million, a 30% surge over the same period. This trend confirms that pangasius consumption demand in the UK remains exceptionally stable.

A deeper breakdown of export commodity categories reveals that frozen pangasius fillets continue to play a pivotal role, accounting for 89% of total export value. Whole and cut fresh, frozen, or dried pangasius products represent roughly 4% of the market share. Meanwhile, the value-added processed product line currently contributes 7% to the sector's total turnover in this market.

Although value-added lines currently capture a 7% share, the export portfolio exhibits pronounced diversification. A broad range of deep-processed items—such as breaded pangasius, pangasius burgers, seasoned fillets, pangasius frozen with mixed vegetables, and convenient ready-to-eat products—are expanding their presence across supermarket shelves. This trend taps directly into British consumer behavior, where appetite for convenient, time-saving meals that maintain nutritional value at accessible price points is expanding briskly.

Inflation-driven momentum and strategic solutions for enterprises

Prolonged inflation across Europe has tightened living expenses for Britons, driving consumers to seek more cost-competitive food alternatives. By maintaining stable pricing alongside upgraded quality, Vietnamese pangasius has become an ideal substitute for more expensive traditional whitefish varieties such as cod.

According to VASEP’s assessment, to optimize headroom and sustain a firm foothold in the UK going forward, seafood exporters must implement a synchronized set of strategic solutions:

First, enhance the capacity to meet stringent technical standards. Enterprises must ensure full compliance with food safety and traceability regulations while securing international sustainability certifications such as ASC or BRC to overcome non-tariff barriers.

Second, step up research and development (R&D) initiatives to diversify deep-processed offerings. Close collaboration with local retail distribution chains to tailor recipes to British palates will serve as a decisive factor in expanding value-added market share.

Third, effectively leverage tariff preferences under the UK–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA). Maximizing tariff concessions allows enterprises to optimize costs and establish price competitiveness against other regional seafood-exporting nations.

The USD 43 million benchmark in the first seven months of 2026 not only reflects a recovery in export revenue, but also reaffirms the sound strategic direction of the pangasius sector in unlocking value addition and proactively adapting to international market volatility.

Source: Tap chi Doanh nghiep va Hoi nhap