ANN/VIETNAM NEWS – Vietnam’s catfish (pangasius) exports are expected to reach USD2 billion this year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
In November, the country’s catfish export turnover rose by 16 per cent year-on-year, reaching USD179 million.
By the end of November, total exports stood at USD1.8 billion, a 10-per-cent increase from the previous year.
Mainland China and Hong Kong remain the largest markets for Vietnamese catfish.
In November, exports to these regions grew by 27 per cent, reaching USD50 million. For the 11-month period, exports to China and Hong Kong surpassed USD500 million, reflecting a modest 1 per cent year-on-year growth.
The United States (US) ranked as the second-largest market, with November’s export value reaching over USD26 million, up 14 per cent compared to November 2023. For the 11-month period, cumulative exports to the US totalled over USD317 million, marking a strong 26 per cent year-on-year increase.
Exports to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) markets reached nearly USD24 million in November 2024, representing a five-per-cent increase compared to the same month last year. For the first 11 months, cumulative exports to CPTPP markets totalled USD248 million, up 10 per cent year-on-year.
Within the CPTPP bloc, Mexico remained the largest importer of Vietnamese catfish. In November, exports to Mexico amounted to nearly USD6 million, a 25-per -cent decrease compared to November 2023. Despite this decline, cumulative exports to Mexico reached USD69 million by the end of November, netting a five-per-cent year-on-year increase.
The European Union (EU) was Vietnam’s fourth-largest catfish market. Cumulative exports to the EU for the first 11 months of 2024 reached nearly USD161 million, a three-per-cent increase year-on-year. In November alone, EU imports totalled nearly USD17 million, a significant 43 per cent increase compared to November 2023.
Of which, the Netherlands continued to lead as the largest EU importer of Vietnamese pangasius, with cumulative imports surpassing USD43 million in the 11-month period, up seven per cent year-on-year. Vietnamese catfish exports to other markets also showed positive growth in November 2024. Notable increases included Thailand (up 29 per cent), the United Kingdom (up 20 per cent) and Colombia (up two per cent).
