In 2024, the Chinese and Hong Kong (China) markets will still be the top destinations for Vietnamese pangasius.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, Vietnam's pangasius exports will overcome the difficult and challenging year of 2024 with an export turnover of 2 billion USD, along with slow but steady growth. Changes in consumer tastes, market adjustments, fluctuations in geopolitical factors, wars, freight rates, taxes, etc. are inevitable barriers in the current context.

However, the decisive factor that makes a product stand firm in the market in general and win the trust of consumers in particular is still good quality, combined with reasonable prices. Good quality of finished products comes from good production and processing processes, in accordance with food hygiene and safety standards.

To achieve that, before entering the factory and starting processing, the harvested pangasius must meet all requirements in terms of size and be disease-free. Good breeds, carefully selected, raised in good conditions will determine the quality of the final product.

The average time to raise pangasius is 10 months, the fish will reach a size of 0.7 - 1.5 kg/fish, meeting the standards for commercial pangasius. The long farming time requires perseverance, care, meticulousness, close monitoring of the fish, timely detection and separation of sick fish from the fish, ensuring output for processing, production and export. Therefore, to increase production and export, farmers are an important driving force. Farmers' profits are the driving force to expand ponds, limiting the situation of pond suspension.

Regarding the consumption market, China and Hong Kong (China) are still the leading destinations for Vietnamese pangasius exports. In December 2024 alone, pangasius exports to this market reached more than 52 million USD, an increase of 19% over the same period. Cumulative pangasius exports for the whole year of 2024 to China and Hong Kong (China) will reach more than 580 million USD, a slight increase of 1.3% compared to 2023.

The United States continues to hold the second position, after China, in the Top countries importing the most Vietnamese pangasius. In the last month of 2024, pangasius exports to the US market reached nearly 28 million USD, an increase of 40% compared to December 2023.

Pangasius exports to the market bloc supported by the CPTPP Agreement also recorded a 10% growth in 2024, with more than 274 million USD. Of which, Mexico is still the leading country in the bloc in importing the most pangasius from Vietnam. In 2024, pangasius exports to Mexico reached 76 million USD, an increase of 4% compared to 2023.

Pangasius exports to the EU market in the last month of 2024 also reached nearly 16 million USD, an increase of 18% compared to December 2023. The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Spain,... are the top countries importing the most Vietnamese pangasius in the bloc. However, unlike other countries, pangasius exports to Germany alone saw a 2% decrease in 2024, with a value of more than 37 million USD.

In addition, pangasius export turnover to some other markets also received positive results and recorded positive growth such as Brazil increased by 15%, Thailand increased by 4%, Colombia increased by 36%,...

The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers stated that 2025 is considered an important year for the Vietnamese seafood export industry with the core driving force being Vietnamese farmers and fishermen. 2025 also promises to be the year when pangasius exports conquer new milestones.

Source: Cong Thuong Newspaper