AsemconnectVietnam - Pangasius exports to China rebounded strongly in October of 2025, recording the highest turnover since the beginning of the year.

Despite increased domestic competition in China, this market still plays a key role for the Vietnamese pangasius industry.
In the first 10 months of 2025, pangasius export turnover to the Chinese market (including China and Hong Kong) reached 483 million USD, up by 1% over the same period of 2024. In October alone, the turnover reached 73 million USD, up by 19% over the same period and the highest level since the beginning of the year. With a proportion of nearly 27% of Vietnam's total pangasius export value, China continued to be the key market, playing an important role in stabilizing the industry's output.
Thus, after a period of stagnation in the third quarter of 2025, the acceleration in October showed a clear sign of recovery. However, the prospect of maintaining this growth momentum depends largely on domestic consumption developments in China, as well as the level of competition with other seafood products in the region.
Currently, the Vietnamese pangasius industry is under great competitive pressure in this market. One of the notable competitors is Chinese tilapia - a product with competitive prices and is being prioritized for domestic consumption by this country due to export difficulties. After the meeting on October 30 between Chinese and US leaders, Washington reduced the import tax on Chinese tilapia from 55% to 45% and suspended new retaliatory tariffs until November of 2026.
Although the tax rate was reduced by 10%, the total tax rate is still high, making it difficult for tilapia to be promoted in the US market. This increases the possibility that China will continue to focus on domestic consumption, thereby creating more competitive pressure on Vietnam's frozen pangasius.
However, according to assessments, the demand for frozen pangasius fillets in China remains stable, especially in the popular segment thanks to the advantage of suitable prices. In addition, the geographical proximity helps logistics costs to be much lower than in distant markets, creating a great advantage for Vietnamese enterprises in maintaining a fast and stable supply chain.
However, prolonged dependence on a large market like China also poses risks. When this country adjusts its import-export policies or consumption demand fluctuates, the Vietnamese pangasius industry is vulnerable to strong impacts.
In the context of increasing competition and the consumption of frozen fillets showing signs of slowing down, diversifying export products becomes necessary. Enterprises are recommended to promote research and development of value-added products and deep processing to increase profit margins and expand competitive margins.
In parallel with maintaining growth in China, the Vietnamese pangasius industry needs to focus on opening up other potential markets to reduce dependence, create balance and move towards sustainable development.
It is expected that in the last two months of 2025, pangasius exports to the Chinese market will maintain a positive trend thanks to the demand during the festive season, contributing to stabilizing production for Vietnamese pangasius businesses and farmers.
CK
Source: VITIC/ haiquanonline.com.vn