China and CPTPP and EU market blocs grow
According to the Customs Department, in October 2025, Vietnam's pangasius exports reached 217 million USD, an increase of 8% over the same period in 2024. In the first 10 months of the year, the export turnover exceeded 1.8 billion USD, an increase of 9% over the same period. This growth shows that the pangasius export industry has signs of positive growth, although some markets continue to decline.
Exports to China and Hong Kong (China) in October reached 73 million USD, up 19% over the same period in 2024. After slowing down in September, this market has recovered its growth momentum, showing that import demand from China is clearly recovering, especially in the final period of the year. For the US market, the turnover in October reached 29 million USD, down 17% over the same period last year. The Brazilian market reached 15 million USD in October, up 1% over the same period last year. After decreasing in September, exports to Brazil have reversed and increased again. Meanwhile, the UK market continued its downward trend, with October turnover reaching 4 million USD, down 33% compared to the same period in 2024.
In the CPTPP bloc, pangasius export turnover in the first 10 months of 2025 reached 305 million USD, up 36% over the same period and accounting for 17% of total pangasius export turnover. In the bloc, Mexico reached 63 million USD, up slightly by 1%; Japan reached 39 million USD, up 14%; Malaysia increased sharply by 37% over the same period, showing a trend of expanding import demand in this region.
In the EU, the total turnover in 10 months reached 149 million USD, up 3% over the same period last year. In the EU bloc, traditional markets such as the Netherlands and Germany continued their downward trend, while Spain had positive growth of 22% over the same period. These differences reflect a clear differentiation in demand for pangasius consumption among EU member countries.
Processed products continue to grow
In the first 10 months of 2025, frozen pangasius fillet products (code HS0304) reached nearly 1.5 billion USD, up 11% over the same period in 2024. Frozen, dried, whole pangasius products (excluding code HS0304) reached 315 million USD, almost unchanged, up slightly by 0.1%. Notably, the group of processed pangasius products reached 44 million USD, up 19% over the same period, accounting for 2.4% of total turnover, showing room for development of value-added products in the current pangasius export structure.
After a slowdown in the third quarter, Vietnam's pangasius exports in October recorded positive signs when some major markets began to show positive signs, while some other markets remained stagnant due to inventory and import cycles during the holidays.
According to Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), it is forecasted that in the fourth quarter of 2025, some major markets may continue to decline due to demand not fully recovering. The most important driving force for the end of the year and into 2026 is the POR20 results in the United States, when businesses are subject to a 0% anti-dumping tax rate, thereby significantly improving the confidence of importers in this country.
However, the 20% reciprocal tax still affects profit margins, forcing businesses to continue expanding their markets.
Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) believes that the main direction in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 2026 will be to expand exports to the CPTPP bloc (Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, the UK) and the Middle East, where Vietnam enjoys tariff preferences and has more favorable market access conditions. The EU is also expected to maintain its growth momentum thanks to more flexible technical regulations for farmed products, creating room for deeply processed pangasius products.

Source: Vitic/ congthuong.vn