Pangasius prices hit record high: opportunity to restructure the value chain

According to Mr. Le Trung Dung, Vice Chairman of the An Giang Fisheries Association, farming areas have not yet fully recovered while demand for processing and exports has risen strongly, leading to a shortage of raw fish and pushing prices higher. In addition, many enterprises currently control only part of their in-house farming areas and therefore have to increase purchases from the open market, further intensifying supply pressure.

Mr. Duong Nghia Quoc, Chairman of the Vietnam Pangasius Association, said the price uptrend is a positive signal after a prolonged period of difficulties for the sector. However, farmers need to remain cautious and avoid mass stocking driven by high prices, as this could trigger another cycle of “sharp rise, steep fall.”

Experts believe the pangasius industry can achieve stable growth only by strengthening value chain linkages from farming and processing to consumption, aligning production with real market demand and confirmed orders. Sharing benefits and risks among stakeholders is seen as the foundation for sustainable development.

In the long term, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment emphasizes that priority should be given to improving the quality of pangasius broodstock research, production, and management, while enhancing the leading role of research institutes, seed centers, and key enterprises. The ministry also proposes investing in broodstock infrastructure and concentrated farming zones in key localities for the 2026–2030 period.

At the same time, processing enterprises are encouraged to shift more strongly toward value- and quality-based strategies, accelerate digital transformation, improve traceability, and measure emissions across the entire value chain. If output is well controlled and market expectations are effectively managed, the current high price level could become a driving force for stable growth of Vietnam’s pangasius industry in the coming years.

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