According to data from Vietnam Customs, in June 2024, the export value of pangasius fish reached nearly USD 172 million, an increase of 20% compared to the same period last year.

Cumulative pangasius exports in the first six months of this year reached USD 918 million, up 5% compared to the first six months of 2023.Regarding the product structure, frozen pangasius fillets (HS code 0304) remain the main export product to various markets. As of the end of June 2024, exports of this product reached USD 739 million, an increase of 3% compared to the same period, accounting for 80% of the total share. Exports of dried pangasius and other frozen products (whole fish, fish cuts, pangasius fish bladder, etc., under HS code 03 excluding HS code 0304) in the first half of this year reached USD 162 million, up 17% compared to the same period, accounting for 18% of the total share. The remaining 2% share is held by value-added pangasius products (HS code 16), with export value in the first six months of 2024 reaching USD 17 million, up 28% compared to the same period in 2023.

Regarding the consumption market, China & Hong Kong continue to be the largest importers of Vietnamese pangasius in June. In June 2024, Vietnamese pangasius exports to China & Hong Kong reached USD 56 million, an increase of 16% compared to June 2023. In the first half of this year, Vietnamese pangasius exports to this market reached over USD 258 million, a decrease of 8% compared to the same period last year.

The US is the second largest importer of Vietnamese pangasius after China. In mid-year, the US consumed USD 27 million of pangasius, an increase of 22% compared to June 2023, although this was a decrease of 9% compared to the previous month. The export value of Vietnamese pangasius to the US in the first six months of this year reached USD 160 million, an increase of 14% compared to the same period last year.

Vietnamese pangasius exports to the CPTPP market bloc also recorded positive growth in the first half of 2024, with an export value reaching USD 128 million, an increase of 11% compared to the same period last year. In June 2024 alone, pangasius export value to this market reached USD 25 million, an increase of 21% compared to June 2023.

Additionally, some individual markets also recorded positive growth in Vietnamese pangasius imports in the first half of 2024, including Brazil with USD 52 million, up 42%; Thailand with USD 30 million, up 9%; Colombia with USD 22 million, up 40%; and Saudi Arabia with USD 20 million, up 17%.

After a challenging year in 2023, the entire industry has focused and seized every export opportunity in the first half of this year. In the second half of this year, it is predicted that consumption demand will continue to rise as countries start preparing for festivals and holidays. Pangasius export prices are also expected to recover and gradually increase. In 2024, Vietnamese pangasius exports are projected to reach USD 1.8 billion, an increase of 6% compared to 2023.

VASEP