Value-added pangasius from Vietnam continues to score in the U.S. market

In Q1/2025, frozen pangasius fillets under HS code 0304 remained Vietnam’s primary export product to the U.S. This segment generated USD 63 million in revenue, a slight decline of 1% from the same period in 2024, and accounted for 91% of the total pangasius export value to the U.S. Other Vietnamese pangasius products favored by American consumers include frozen fillets, frozen steak or chunk cuts, breaded frozen pangasius, puffed dried pangasius, and fried pangasius skin.

In the first three months of 2025, exports of dried pangasius and other frozen pangasius products (whole fish, chunk cuts, swim bladders, etc.) to the U.S. saw impressive growth of 75%, reaching over USD 1.4 million and accounting for 2% of the total export value.

Most notably, value-added (VA) pangasius exports from Vietnam to the U.S. recorded a dramatic surge in Q1/2025 — an eightfold increase (up 725%) over Q1/2024, reaching USD 5 million and making up 7% of total pangasius exports. American consumers are showing growing interest in value-added pangasius products from Vietnam, beyond the traditional frozen fillets. These compelling figures are providing strong momentum for Vietnamese exporters.

Vietnam’s value-added pangasius continues to gain ground in the U.S.

The average export price of pangasius to the U.S. in the first three months of 2025 consistently rose compared to the same period last year. January recorded the highest price, at USD 3.87/kg — up 47% from January 2024 — and also the highest price to the U.S. since early 2023.

According to the latest data from the International Trade Centre (ITC), in the first two months of 2025, the U.S. imported over USD 386 million worth of whitefish from global markets, up 18% year-on-year. Most of these imports were frozen fillet products under HS code 0304. The top item was frozen tilapia fillets (HS 030461), with import value reaching USD 103 million, up 49% and accounting for 27% of total whitefish imports. This was followed by frozen cod fillets (HS 030471) at USD 96 million (down 5%), representing 25%, and frozen catfish fillets (HS 030462) at USD 56 million, up 16% and accounting for 14%.

Vietnamese pangasius is also facing increasing pressure from new tariff policies imposed by President Trump. For Vietnam — a highly open economy that remains heavily dependent on international trade — any U.S. tariff shifts may trigger a domino effect, negatively impacting exports, including those of seafood and pangasius. It is hoped that pangasius export results in April 2025 will remain stable amid ongoing global economic volatility.

Source: https://seafood.vasep.com.vn/