Smooth Pangasius Exports, High Prices Right from the Start of the New Year

Pangasius exports started strong in the first month of 2025, driving prices at Vietnamese farms to a three-year high. The Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) predicts 2025 will be a landmark year for pangasius exports. Limited supply has pushed the price of pangasius over 1.2 kg to 32,440 VND/kg, the highest since 2022. This larger size is primarily exported to China, while smaller fish are processed into fillets for the EU and US markets. VASEP attributes the price surge to the scarcity of large pangasius and increased demand, particularly from China during the Lunar New Year. Cold weather in December also slowed fish growth, further limiting supply. Fingerling prices reached a high of 46,300 VND/kg in January 2025. January 2025 pangasius exports are estimated at 209 million USD, a 27% year-over-year increase. In 2024, total pangasius exports reached 2 billion USD. The resolution of the DS536 anti-dumping dispute with the US promises to further boost exports in 2025. This agreement removes tariffs on Vietnamese pangasius fillets and signifies a strengthened trade relationship between the two countries. VASEP emphasizes the need to improve fingerling quality and implement breeding programs to meet future market demand.