According to Vietnam Customs, in the first half of October 2024, pangasius exports to Canada reached more than 1 million USD, down 33% over the same period last year. Cumulative pangasius export to this market as of October 15, 2024 reached 32 million USD, up 10% over the same period in 2023.
Export value of pangasius to Canada in the first 3 quarters of this year showed a recovery and quite positive results with continuous positive growth. March 2024 was recorded as the month with the highest export turnover, with more than 4 million USD, up 21% over the same period last year. Notably, after continuous growth in the previous months, in April and August 2024, Canada suddenly reduced its import of pangasius from Vietnam with a value reaching 3 million USD, down 21% and 3.3 million USD, down 17% compared to the same period in 2023. However, in the following months, this market grew positively.
Canada mainly imports frozen pangasius fillet products from Vietnam. Export of this product to Canada in the third quarter of 2024 reached 9 million USD, down 6% compared to the third quarter of 2023. In the first 9 months of this year, Vietnam exported more than 26 million USD of frozen pangasius fillets to Canada, up 10% over the same period last year, mainly due to export growth in the first quarter of this year, accounting for 86% of total pangasius exports to this market.
In addition, exports of other dried and frozen fish products (whole, cut, frozen, etc.) also recorded positive growth of 56% in the first 9 months of this year, with a value of 4 million USD, mainly due to a sharp increase in exports in the third quarter. In July 2024, export value of this product to Canada reached its highest level, with 770,000 USD, an increase of 71% compared to July 2023. Notably, value-added pangasius export to Canada often fluctuate and increase and decrease erratically. In February 2024, this market hardly consumed value-added pangasius from Vietnam. The highest export value of pangasius products coded HS16 to this market was recorded in July 2024, with more than 158,000 USD, an increase of 425% compared to July 2023. In September 2024, value-added pangasius exports to Canada reached only nearly 7,000 USD, down 75% compared to the same period last year.
According to data from International Trade Center (ITC), in the first 8 months of this year, Canada imported the most frozen pangasius fillets under HS code 030462, with a volume of nearly 7,000 tonnes, up 49% over the same period last year, accounting for 19% of total volume of whitefish imported from Canada from the world. Vietnam is the largest supplier of frozen pangasius fillets to Canada.
In addition, the most consumed products in this market in the first 8 months of this year include: Frozen cod under HS code 030363 with more than 5,000 tonnes, down 38%, accounting for 14% of proportion; Frozen haddock fillets HS code 030472 with more than 3,600 tonnes, up 13%, accounting for 10% of proportion; frozen Alaska pollock fillets HS code 030475 with more than 3,500 tonnes, up 120%, accounting for 10% of proportion; frozen cod fillets HS code 030471 with 3,200 tonnes, down 0.3% over the same period last year, accounting for 9% of proportion in total import volume of white fish of Canada;...
Pangasius exports to Canada are supported by trade agreements in the CPTPP Agreement. Economic and trade relationship between Vietnam and Canada is an effective model in implementing CPTPP. However, consumers in this country are increasingly demanding in choosing consumer products, including seafood. To export to Canadian market, in addition to tariffs, Vietnamese products must face other issues such as regulations on food hygiene and safety standards, regulations on labeling, labeling of goods, environmental protection, etc.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn