Vietnam’s value-added pangasius exports jump 47% in H1, US leads with USD 10 million

Vietnam’s value-added pangasius exports reached USD 28 million as of July 15, up 47% year-on-year. The US was the largest and fastest-growing buyer, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Customs data shows US imports hit nearly USD 10 million in the first half of 2025, 5.5 times more than a year ago, accounting for 38% of Vietnam’s total shipments in the category. In Q2 alone, US purchases exceeded USD 5m, up 332%.

Thailand ranked second with USD 4 million (+9%, 14% share), followed by the UK (USD 2.2 million, -5%), Australia (USD 1.8 million, -14%), Japan (USD 1.7 million, +18%), the Netherlands (USD 1.3 million, +2%) and Malaysia (USD 865,000, -16%). Smaller but fast-growing markets included Sweden (+324%), Cambodia (+232%), China (+185%) and Canada (+164%).

Value-added pangasius still represents just 2.5% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value. However, growth remains strong and the segment is seen as a key driver toward the sector’s USD 1bn export target for 2025.

VASEP forecasts total seafood exports at USD 9-9.2bn this year, including USD 3.6-3.8bn from shrimp, USD 1.8bn from pangasius, USD 850-900m from tuna and about USD 3bn from other marine products. The association urged exporters to secure raw materials, invest in processing technology, target niche markets and leverage free trade agreements to meet these goals.

Source:  https://vietfishmagazine.com/