Vietnam’s Pangasius Export Market: Performance, Trends & Outlook for 2025–2026

Published: February 2026 | Category: Seafood Industry News

Overview

Vietnam’s pangasius (catfish) industry is entering 2026 on a strong note, having navigated a complex year of internal cost pressures and shifting global demand patterns. With export turnover projected at approximately USD 2.1–2.2 billion for full-year 2025 — exceeding official targets by 5–9% — the industry continues to assert its dominance as the world’s leading supplier of farmed pangasius.

2025 Production & Export Performance

According to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the pangasius sector delivered impressive results in 2025:

• Farming area: Over 5,500 hectares across the Mekong Delta region
• Total production: Approximately 1.74 million tons (+6% above plan)
• Export turnover: ~USD 2.1–2.2 billion, with November 2025 alone pushing cumulative exports above the USD 2 billion mark
• Growth rate: +9% compared to the same period in 2024

Key exporting provinces — Dong Thap, An Giang, Can Tho, and Long An — continue to anchor national output. In An Giang alone, businesses are exporting to more than 40 countries and territories, with over 60% of farming areas now holding international sustainability certifications such as ASC and GlobalGAP.

About Vietnam’s Pangasius Industry

Vietnam is the world’s dominant producer and exporter of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (striped catfish), accounting for the vast majority of global frozen fillet trade. The industry is concentrated in the Mekong Delta region and supports hundreds of thousands of farming households alongside a modern processing sector capable of supplying major global retail and food service chains.

Sources: Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MARD), VASEP (Vietnam Association of Seafood Processing and Exporting), VN Seafood Insider, Vietnam.vn, Volza Global Trade Data