According to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), in 2024, pangasius exports reach 2 billion USD, up 9% compared to 2023. Thus, after 2 years of many fluctuations in both export markets and domestic production, Vietnamese pangasius industry has overcome challenges, adapted flexibly and with strong determination, seizing opportunity to break through exports to markets.
Pangasius businesses have made efforts to improve and enhance productivity and quality, taking advantage of opportunity of increased demand in many markets such as the US, Brazil, Colombia, the Middle East and CPTPP countries to offset the decline in China.
The year 2025 brings with it prospects and opens a bright era for Vietnamese seafood industry, including pangasius. Accordingly, economy continues to recover and demand in major markets begins to increase strongly. China, the US, Brazil, Colombia and countries in CPTPP market bloc will continue to be important driving forces to help Vietnamese pangasius develop.
However, according to VASEP, quality of fingerlings - an important step in the industry - is still not up to standard. Fingerlings have a low survival rate, are susceptible to diseases and are no longer seasonal. Currently, loss rate of pangasius fingerlings is over 90%. Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) is also aiming to reduce this to below 85% in the coming time, with a survival rate of 15-20%.
To improve quality of breeds, VASEP believes that it is necessary to accelerate implementation of projects and tasks to research and select breeding traits for fish (disease resistance, increased fillet rate, salt tolerance, etc.) according to market demand. Inspect and certify facilities that meet conditions for production and breeding of breeds according to provisions of Fisheries Law. Implement project to link production of high-quality 3-level pangasius breeds in Mekong Delta, including investing in construction of complete technical infrastructure for concentrated fish breed production areas in Dong Thap and An Giang; completing 3-level pangasius breed system.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn