Vietnam’s pangasius exports to main markets to recover in H2 2024

In terms of exported product structure, value added pangasius exports recorded a 30% growth in the first 7 months of 2024 with the export value of US$21 million. Exports of dried pangasius and other frozen pangasius products (whole round, steak, bladders, etc.) reached nearly US$200 million, up 22%. The export value of Vietnam’s main pangasius product (frozen fillets) in this period are US$881 million, up 6% over the same period last year.

Regarding the consumption market, China & HK was still the largest consumer market of Vietnamese pangasius. Pangasius exported to this market in July 2024 reached US$55 million, up 23%. The value in the first 7 months are US$313 million, down 4% over the same period, mainly due to the decrease in February and March 2024.

This growth can be maintained in the second half of 2024 thanks to the recovery of demand, improvement of product quality, and good business strategies.

Meanwhile, pangasius exports to the US in July 2024 reached US$31 million, up 69%. Cumulative pangasius exports in the first 7 months are US$190 million, up 20% over the same period last year.

The CPTPP market was the 3rd largest destination for Vietnamese pangasius, with the exports in July 2024 reaching US$28 million, up 41%. Cumulative pangasius exports are US$155 million, up 15% over the same period in 2023. Mexico consumed Vietnamese pangasius the most in the block, with nearly US$10 million, up 94%.

In July 2024, pangasius exports to the EU reached US$14 million, up 7%. Cumulative pangasius exports in the first 7 months reached US$99 million, down 2% over the same period in 2023. In particular, although the Netherlands was still leading the block in consuming Vietnamese pangasius, the export value to this market in the first 7 months still witnessed a decrease of 4%, mainly due to the decline in February and May 2024.

The positive growth in July 2024 shows the efforts of processors in improving product quality, diversifying markets and adapting to fluctuations in the international market.

The world economy has many signs of recovery but the growth rate is slow. Food, energy and transportation costs remain high, causing global inflation to show signs of cooling down, but price pressure continues to increase, not reaching the target level that countries desire and potentially erupting again. Conflicts continue to escalate, causing instability to world security. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is in a fierce tug-of-war on the ground with no compromise or concession between the two sides. This makes transportation costs increase, bringing difficulties to Vietnam’s seafood exports, including pangasius.

However, Pangasius export still maintains its growth in July 2024. In the last months of 2024, the number of pangasius orders from Vietnam will increase thanks to orders for year-end holidays.