AsemconnectVietnam - The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) said that despite facing many difficulties and challenges, with a creative spirit, flexible adaptability and determination, the Vietnamese seafood industry has overcome all difficulties to achieve an impressive achievement of 10 billion USD in seafood export turnover in 2024.

Pangasius continued to be one of the key export items of Vietnamese seafood.
In 2024, pangasius continued to be one of the key export items of Vietnamese seafood. The export value of other items includes shrimp reaching 4 billion USD; pangasius 2 billion USD; tuna 1 billion USD; other fish 1.9 billion USD; squid, octopus 662 million USD; crabs and other crustaceans 335 million USD; shellfish 215 million USD; other mollusks 14.5 million USD.
According to the Director of the Department of Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) Tran Dinh Luan, the output of pangasius in 2024 was estimated to reach 1.67 million tonnes, equal to 99% of the figure of the same period of 2023. As of October 15, 2024, pangasius export turnover reached 1.56 billion USD, an increase of 8.9% compared to the same period of 2023. The figure of the whole year was estimated to reach 2 billion USD. However, the growth rate was uneven due to fierce competition from other countries and white fish products.
Vietnam aims to export 2 billion USD of pangasius in 2025
According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien, in order for the pangasius industry to achieve the export turnover target of about 2 billion USD in 2025, it is necessary to focus on developing pangasius breeds in an industrial, large-scale direction, ensuring biosafety, and at the same time developing a closed chain in the production, processing and consumption of pangasius, applying science and technology, optimizing the use of by-products to increase product value.
Challenges for the Vietnamese pangasius industry
According to the Department of Fisheries, the pangasius industry in the Mekong Delta is facing 3 major problems that need more effective solutions. One is about the breed, the survival rate during the rearing process from pangasius fry to pangasius fry has not been significantly improved. The parent fish involved in reproduction are from selected fish, improving genetic quality, accounting for a low proportion (accounting for 25%). The rate of pangasius hatcheries that are inspected and certified as meeting the requirements is still low (only 5.3%).
In addition, the cost of producing raw pangasius is increasing due to the high price of input materials such as feed, fuel, and labor costs. Vietnamese standards on wastewater quality for aquaculture still have many shortcomings and are not suitable for the reality of aquaculture production. Small-scale farms that have not participated in the chain have difficulty accessing information and implementing food safety regulations, have limited capital, and do not participate in the chain, and are gradually at risk of being eliminated and replaced by large companies.
In addition, products and markets, value-added products still account for a small proportion, mainly frozen products. Furthermore, the dependence on a few major export markets such as the US, China and some ASEAN countries puts the pangasius industry at a disadvantage if these markets change their policies or have stricter requirements on quality and food safety. The lack of coordination and excessive competition among Vietnamese processors and exporters, along with uneven quality, has affected the reputation and brand of Vietnamese pangasius products.
Vietnam will focus on developing pangasius breeds in an industrial, large-scale direction
According to forecasts from world experts, the market for seafood consumption for food will continue to grow worldwide,... and farmed seafood, including pangasius, will be the main source of supply. Specifically, according to FAO forecasts, by 2030, world consumption of seafood for food is expected to increase by 18% (equivalent to 28 million tons) compared to 2018. Asia will consume the most, accounting for about 71% (183 million tons of seafood), while Latin America will consume the least. Consumption is expected to increase by 33% in Latin America, Africa (27%), Oceania (22%) and Asia (19%). Per capita consumption is expected to reach 21.5 kg in 2030, up from 20.5 kg in 2018. By 2030, aquaculture will account for about 59% of seafood consumption, up from 52% in 2018. Aquaculture will continue to meet demand and consumption thanks to the conversion of some species from wild capture to aquaculture. In terms of tastes, the consumption of fast-processed, ready-to-eat and convenient seafood is also increasing. In addition, more and more consumers choose to buy seafood in supermarkets, online seafood transactions are growing quite rapidly, led by China. Consumers in developed countries are also willing to pay more for products with sustainable development labels and health and nutritional requirements. This is an issue that seafood businesses need to invest in to better reach consumers.
However, the pangasius industry also faces major challenges. Accordingly, climate change, along with changes in upstream floods affecting the amount of freshwater in the Mekong River and saline intrusion in the Mekong Delta, may impact aquaculture activities in general and pangasius farming in particular in the future.
In addition, the pangasius industry also faces fierce competition as some countries such as China, India, and Indonesia are promoting similar aquaculture and processing...
According to the plan, Vietnam aims to increase value in 2025, striving to reach an output of 1.65 million tonnes, but aiming for an export turnover of about 2 billion USD. In the context of many fluctuations in production, economic and environmental life, this is a goal that requires great efforts from the entire industry and many functional agencies.
To achieve this goal, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that it is necessary to focus on developing pangasius breeds in an industrial, large-scale direction, ensuring biosafety. Localities and enterprises need to strictly manage the use of antibiotics in farming, and at the same time control the quality of breeding facilities. In particular, Vietnam calls for the development of a closed chain in the production, processing and consumption of pangasius, applying science and technology, optimizing the use of by-products to increase product value. In addition to traditional markets, finding and developing new markets, including the Islamic market with Halal certification, is also an important strategy.
CK
Source: VITIC/ haiquanonline.com.vn