According to Vietnam Customs, in the fourth quarter of 2024, Vietnam's pangasius exports to China and Hong Kong (China) reached 163 million USD, up 17% over the same period in 2023 and increased steadily in all months. Cumulative exports of Vietnamese pangasius to this market in 2024 reached 581 million USD, up 1% over the same period in 2023.
In the past 10 years, in 2017, China for the first time dethroned the United States and became the largest importer of Vietnamese pangasius. A year later, in 2018, the United States immediately regained its position. Pangasius exports to the US in 2018 reached 550 million USD, while exports to China reached 529 million USD.
However, pangasius exports to the US market from 2019 to present have not been able to grow strongly due to problem of anti-dumping tax. China has been the leading market for importing Vietnamese pangasius for the past 6 consecutive years.
In 2024, pangasius exports to China contributed 29% to total value of Vietnam's exports to markets. October 2024 was recorded as the month with the highest export turnover of Vietnamese pangasius to China and Hong Kong (China) since the beginning of the year, with more than 61 million USD, an increase of 9% over the same period in 2023.
Frozen pangasius fillet products from Vietnam are very popular with Chinese consumers. In the fourth quarter of 2024, export value of this product to China reached more than 100 million USD, an increase of 62% compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. In 2024, frozen pangasius fillet exports to China and Hong Kong (China) reached 349 million USD, down 6% compared to the same period last year, accounting for 60% of total pangasius exports to this market.
In fourth quarter of 2024, China increased imports of dried fish and other frozen products (whole, cut, bladder, ...) by 7% compared to the same period in 2023. Exports of VAT pangasius in the fourth quarter of 2024 recorded a growth of 92% compared to the same period in 2023.
According to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the United States and China are the top 2 markets importing the most pangasius from Vietnam. In 2025, will China's top 1 market position be adjusted when Vietnam and the United States recently signed a bilateral agreement to remove anti-dumping tax on fish fillets exported from Vietnam?
Along with that, the US's implementation of WTO ruling opens up great opportunities for more stable exports of Vietnamese pangasius to the US market. This also contributes significantly to demonstrating goodwill in strengthening multifaceted relationship between Vietnam and the United States, especially in context of the two countries upgrading their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn