In 2022, inflation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have helped pangasius, the moderately priced white fish, increase export sales. Most markets have increased by 40-200% of Vietnam’s pangasius imports.

The two markets that dominate Vietnam’s pangasius export trend are China accounting for 30%, the US accounting for 23%. After a dramatic increase in the first half of the year, high inventories and congestion at import ports caused US demand to decrease.

According to statistics of the US Department of Agriculture, in the first 9 months of 2022, the US imported 104.5 thousand tons of frozen pangasius fillets, worth US$ 445.2 million, up 24% in volume and 91% in value compared to the same period last year.

The average import price of frozen pangasius fillets to the US market in the first 9 months of 2022 reached $4.26/kg, up 53% compared to the average import price of $2.77/kg in the same period in 2021.

While imports of other white fishes such as cod, hake, pollock either decreased or increased only slightly, imports of pangasius and tilapia increased sharply and took the leading position. This shows the farmed fish is gradually replacing marine fish, as the war and the embargo make the market short of supply from Russia.

Therefore, Vietnam is the second largest supplier of white fish to the US market, after China. While China mainly supplies tilapia and still maintains the role of an expert in processing white fish such as cod and pollock for the US market, Vietnam still holds the prominent position in pangasius products in the US.

Vietnam pangasius exports by the end of October 2022 reached 2.2 billion USD

Meanwhile, imports into the Chinese market continued to recover strongly as the domestic seafood production decreased and the zero Covid policy caused China’s shortage in food and seafood. It is estimated that by the end of October, the total export of Vietnamese pangasius to the Chinese market reached 647 million USD, up 110% over the same period last year.

China mainly imports 2 product lines of frozen pangasius fillets/cuts and fresh/frozen whole pangasius, accounting for 68% and 32% respectively. The average export price of frozen pangasius fillets to the Chinese market in the first 9 months reached $2.45/kg. The export price increased from 2.2 USD at the beginning of the year to a peak of 2.73 USD/kg in September, 64% higher than the price at the same time last year.

In addition, Vietnam also sharply increased exports to CPTPP markets and some Asian markets, taking full advantage of tariffs and geographical factors.

By the end of September 2022, Vietnam has more than 400 enterprises participating in exporting pangasius. The top 5 largest enterprises include Vinh Hoan Corp, Bien Dong Seafood, Navico, I.D.I Corp, VDTG FOOD accounting for 37% of export turnover.

Most pangasius enterprises have increased sales compared to the same period last year, mainly thanks to higher export prices. With the results achieved until October, pangasius exports in 2022 are expected  to reach over $2.4 billion, up 49% compared to 2021.